Abstract
Aims: Although generally well tolerated, a urodynamic study is an unpleasant and stressful procedure for some patients. This study evaluated the effects of a heating pad on anxiety, pain, and distress during urodynamic studies in female patients with stress urinary incontinence. Methods: A total of 74 female patients with stress urinary incontinence who underwent a urodynamic study between May 2015 and October 2015 were randomized to either the experimental group using a heating pad (n = 37) or control group (n = 37). In the experimental group, a heating pad was applied on the patient's sacrum during the urodynamic study. All patients completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (20-80) before and after the procedure and assessed their degree of pain and distress after the procedure by the visual analog scale (0-10). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate were also checked before and after the procedure. Results: Demographic characteristics, mean age, procedure duration, pre and post-procedural systolic, and diastolic blood pressures, and pulse rate were statistically similar between the experimental and control groups. The mean State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (30.9 ± 7.5 vs 42.5 ± 10.1, P < 0.001). The experimental group showed significantly lower pain and distress scores (Visual Analog Scale, 2.7 ± 1.5, 3.0 ± 1.5) compared with the control group (4.0 ± 1.6, 4.7 ± 2.0, both P < 0.001). Conclusions: Using a heating pad for female patients with stress urinary incontinence during a urodynamic study is a simple, economical, and effective therapy that enhances patient comfort and decreases anxiety, pain, and distress.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 997-1001 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Neurourology and Urodynamics |
Volume | 37 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2018 Mar |
Keywords
- anxiety
- pain
- thermotherapy
- urodynamics
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Urology