Completed Research Project
Randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effects of an electronic monitoring device in decreasing urinary incontinence in elderly patients in an acute care setting
Investigators: Nikoletti S, Young J & King
M.
Funding: National Continence Management Strategy
Innovative Grants Program ($31,380) Kimberley Clarke Continence
Management Grant ($5,000).
Abstract: The primary aim of this study was to determine whether the use of habit training with an electronic monitoring device is better than standard habit training in the assessment and management of urinary incontinence in elderly patients in acute care hospitals. A randomised controlled trial was conducted over an 18-month period. Findings revealed no significant improvements in the self-or carer-reported frequency of incontinence from baseline to follow-up of in-patients and at one month after discharge, although there was a trend towards improvement in both the experimental and control groups at the posttest time points. A significant reduction in self or carer-reported severity of incontinence was demonstrated in the experimental group at one month follow-up (P=0.025) but not in the control group. The potential value of an electronic monitoring device for reducing incontinence could not be adequately assessed due to the small sample size (n=28), problems with the device and with implementing the study protocol. Researchers and clinicians planning future studies with this device should be aware of the practical limitations associated with habit training regimens for elderly patients in the acute care setting.
