Effect of Biofeedback on Psychological Burden and Symptoms in Older Women with Urge Urinary Incontinence

Abstract

To determine the effect of biofeedback (BFB) therapy on psychological burden of urge urinary incontinence (UI) and whether prior depression or current depressive symptoms affect older women's response to BFB. Secondary analysis of an ongoing trial. Academic medical center. Forty-two community-dwelling women aged 60 and older with urge UI. BFB and behavioral training in urge suppression provided over 8 weeks. UI frequency on 3-day bladder diary, psychological burden assessed using Urge Impact Scale (URIS-24) total and subscale scores, history of depression, and depressive symptoms on the Mental Component Subscale (MCS) of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36). Age and chronic conditions were included as covariates. BFB improved UI (by 45%, P=.001) and psychological burden (P=.001 for total URIS-24 score and for all three of its subscales; P=.01 for SF36-MCS). However, although the magnitude of UI improvement was equivalent for those with and without a history of depression, improvement in psychological outcomes was twice as great in those with a history of depression, especially on the perception of control subscale, and improvement was not related to baseline depressive symptoms. In older women with urge UI, BFB significantly improves psychological burden, especially in those with a history of depression, in whom psychological burden is linked to change in perception of control. Psychological factors are relevant outcome measures for UI, and these data suggest that focusing on UI frequency alone may have underestimated BFB's efficacy and additional therapeutic benefits.