Online group-based pelvic floor muscle training program to treat urinary incontinence in older women: a mixed method pilot study

Investigator: Mélanie Le Berre, PhD candidate, Chantale Dumoulin, PhD

Funding organization: Clinical Research Grant, Quebec Network for Research on Aging

Project and objectives:

  1. Assess the feasibility and acceptability of an online group-based pelvic floor muscle training program for urinary incontinence in older women;

  2. Assess the effects of this online program on urinary incontinence-related symptoms and associated quality of life.

Our findings will provide guidance for the development of a large randomized controlled trial on the treatment of urinary incontinence through online group-based pelvic floor muscle training (tele-rehabilitation), with the ultimate goal of improving access to continence care for all older women in times of COVID-19 and beyond.


Published Articles:

Le Berre M, Dumoulin C. Accessibility of pelvic floor physiotherapy for treating urinary incontinence in older women in Quebec: an online survey. Physiotherapy Canada, September; 10.3138/ptc-2021-0089. doi:10.3138/ptc-2021-0089

Le Berre M, Filiatrault J, Reichetzer B, Dumoulin C. (2022) Feasibility, acceptability and effects of a group pelvic floor muscle telerehabilitation program to treat urinary incontinence in older women. Digital Health. 2022;8. doi:10.1177/20552076221123720

Le Berre M, Filiatrault J, Reichetzer B, Dumoulin C. (2023). Group-Based Pelvic Floor Telerehabilitation to Treat Urinary Incontinence in Older Women: A Feasibility Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(10), 5791. doi:10.3390/ijerph20105791

Le Berre M, Filiatrault J, Reichetzer B, Kairy D, Lachance C, Dumoulin C. (2024) Online group-based pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence in older women: a pilot study. International Urogynecology Journal. February 5. doi: 10.1007/s00192-024-05728-0

Le Berre M, Forest L, Dumoulin C. (2024) Implementation of group-based exercise programs in physiotherapy: a rapid scoping review. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. August 1;103(8):761-768. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002477


Accepted / Published Abstracts:

Le Berre M, Filiatrault J, Reichetzer B, Dumoulin C. (2022) Is online group-based pelvic floor muscle training feasible for older women with urinary incontinence? Abstract presentation, 52nd Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society, Vienna, Austria, 7-10 September 2022. Continence, 2022;2 :100326. doi:10.1016/j.cont.2022.100326 https://www.ics.org/2022/abstract/237

Le Berre M, Filiatrault J, Reichetzer B, Dumoulin C. (2023) Online group-based pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence in older women. Abstract presentation, 53rd Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society, Toronto, Canada, 28 September 2023. Continence, 2023;7 (suppl 1) :100947. doi:10.1016/j.cont.2023.100947 https://www.ics.org/2023/abstract/229

Le Berre M, Filiatrault J, Reichetzer B, Kairy D, Lachance C, Dumoulin C. (2024) #19 Six-Month Effect of Group-Based Pelvic Floor Telerehabilitation in Older Women with Urinary Incontinence: A Follow-Up Study. Abstract presentation, 54th Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society, Madrid, Spain, 23-25 October 2024. https://www.ics.org/2024/abstract/19

Le Berre M, Filiatrault J, Reichetzer B, Kairy D, Lachance C, Dumoulin C. (2024) #212 Acceptability of Group-Based Telerehabilitation Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Program in Older Women with Urinary Incontinence: A Qualitative Study. Abstract presentation, 54th Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society, Madrid, Spain, 23-25 October 2024. https://www.ics.org/2024/abstract/212