Impact of Strength and Nature of Patient Health Values on Compliance and Outcomes for Physiotherapy Treatment for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine whether patient values impact on compliance and outcome for physiotherapy treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction. Although studies have related “health values” to behaviors in the laboratory, or to behaviors such as exercise, there have been no studies of the impact of patient values on actual medical treatments. MethodsA prospective observational study of the impact of patient values on compliance and outcomes for physiotherapy treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction was conducted in a physiotherapy clinic in the urogynaecological outpatients unit of a hospital. Two hundred eighteen patients were approached and agreed to participate. Prior to treatment, pelvic floor functioning was assessed using the Oxford Grading System, and Queensland Pelvic Floor Questionnaire, and values were assessed using the Personal Values Questionnaire (PVQ-II). Following a 6-month physiotherapy treatment programme, pelvic floor function was reassessed. ResultsThe strength of patient health-related values measured by the PVQ-II significantly predicted compliance with the intervention, but the nature of health value (intrinsically-valued, as opposed to externally-controlled) predicted objective outcome. ConclusionPatient values impact on physiotherapy adherence and outcomes, and could be considered as part of future assessment/screening procedures.