Effects on urinary outcome of patients and caregivers' burden of pelvic floor muscle exercises based on the health belief model done at home by post-stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFMEs) done by stroke patients at home in line with the health belief model (HBM) on patient care outcomes and caregivers' burdens.

METHOD: In the study, a quasi-experimental design with a pre- and post-test control group was used. The study was conducted with 20 patients in the experimental group and 18 patients in the control group. The patients and caregivers were evaluated at baseline and after the 12-week PFME intervention performed at home. The data were analyzed with the chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon signed rank test and multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of the mean scores they obtained from the ICIQ-SF and I-QOL, the number of urinary incontinence episodes, pad test after interventions and quality of life scores (p < 0.05), while no statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of the mean scores for the Burden Interview (p > 0.05). An increase was determined in the self-efficacy of the patients in the experimental group after the PFMEs (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Given the results of the present study, it is recommended that in the management of post-stroke urinary incontinence, post-stroke patients should be encouraged to do PFME at home in line with the HBM, and they should be monitored periodically.