Publications by authors named "Laura Keyser"
As the field evolves as a doctoring profession, the role and scope of physical therapist practice must also grow to meet important and urgent public health needs. Scalable, population-level interventions must be prioritized to the same degree as tailored, individual-level care. Drawing from public health frameworks, this perspective proposes an approach to population-level physical therapist care delivery that aims to mitigate disease and disability and improve health outcomes by expanding access, decreasing cost, and improving quality of care for those facing the greatest health disparities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Urinary incontinence (UI) affects millions of women with substantial health and quality-of-life impacts. Supervised pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is the recommended first-line treatment. However, multiple individual and institutional barriers impede women's access to skilled care.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction And Hypothesis: We evaluated a pilot multi-component reintegration intervention to improve women's physical and psychosocial quality of life after genital fistula surgery.
Methods: Twelve women undergoing fistula repair at Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital (Kampala, Uganda) anticipated in a 2-week multi-component intervention including health education, psychosocial therapy, physiotherapy, and economic investment. We assessed feasibility through recruitment, retention, and adherence, acceptability through intervention satisfaction, and preliminary effectiveness through reintegration, mental health, physical health, and economic status.
Article Synopsis
- * GBV has severe negative effects on survivors, impacting their economic status, social well-being, mental health, and physical health.
- * Panzi Hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo exemplifies effective care for GBV survivors by offering person-centered and holistic treatment for both conflict-related and non-conflict-related sexual violence.
Introduction And Hypothesis: To determine the effectiveness of a prescription digital therapeutic (pDTx) in reducing urinary incontinence (UI) symptoms in real-world users.
Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of real-world data from users of a pDTx designed to guide pelvic floor muscle training(PFMT) between July 1, 2020-December 31, 2021. The primary outcome was UI symptom change as reported via in-app Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6).
Aims: The objective of this analysis was to describe longitudinal adherence with recommended urinary incontinence (UI) evaluation and treatment guidelines over a 2-year period in patients newly diagnosed with stress (SUI) or mixed UI (MUI), and average 2-year cost associated with initial treatment.
Methods: A retrospective claims analysis using the IBM MarketScan database was conducted. Women diagnosed with SUI/MUI between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2016 were identified using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 9 and 10 codes for SUI or MUI.
Objective: To describe the characteristics of women with stress or mixed urinary incontinence (SUI/MUI) receiving physical therapy (PT) services, including referral patterns and PT utilization.
Methods: Female patients with claims associated with an SUI or MUI diagnosis (International Classification of Disease-Clinical Modification [ICD-9-CM]: 625.6, 788.
Aims: There is limited data addressing the value of vaginal biofeedback (VBF) on fecal incontinence (FI) symptoms. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate whether use of a motion-based VBF device and app was effective for at-home treatment of women with FI. We hypothesized that VBF would result in improvement in FI symptoms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUrinary incontinence (UI) is a highly prevalent burdensome condition among adult females in the United States, yet rates of care-seeking, evaluation, and treatment are nonoptimal. Components of evaluation and treatment are informed by research and professional society guidelines; however, a visual representation of this guidance does not exist. The objectives of this study are to review the literature regarding female UI care and to synthesize this information into a graphical format to facilitate health education, health care delivery, and shared decision-making.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRe: "We Should Abandon 'Race' as a Biological Category in Biomedical Research".
Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg
August 2021
Article Synopsis
- - The study aimed to examine how common urinary incontinence (UI) is among pregnant and postpartum women in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and explore related factors.
- - Interviews were conducted with 880 women over two years, revealing a 30.5% prevalence of UI, with higher rates in pregnant women (33.4%) compared to postpartum women (26.5%).
- - Key factors linked to UI included a history of macrosomia (having large babies) and pregnancy status, highlighting the need for better screening and treatment strategies.
Introduction And Hypothesis: Childbirth-related pelvic fistula (CRF) often requires surgery, yet even with successful repair, mental health conditions, musculoskeletal impairments, urinary and fecal incontinence and sexual dysfunction persist for many women. Postoperative rehabilitation, (i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study aimed to evaluate the function and disability levels of women in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo suffering from fistula, identifying factors linked to higher disability scores.
- Using the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0, researchers assessed women's disabilities across six areas: cognition, mobility, self-care, social interaction, daily activities, and overall participation.
- Results showed that 83% of the 69 participants experienced high disability, particularly in life activities and societal participation, with different fistula types affecting disability levels uniquely.
Article Synopsis
- * The study surveyed 422 women in the Democratic Republic of Congo, revealing that only 33.6% had planned Cesarean deliveries, while many faced emergency procedures due to low counseling and prenatal visit rates.
- * Results showed that receiving more prenatal care visits significantly increased the likelihood of counseling, which in turn improved the chances of a planned Cesarean delivery, underscoring the need for better prenatal education and support in this vulnerable population.
Urinary incontinence (UI) is experienced by an estimated 51% of women in the U.S. and often results from impaired function or weakening of the pelvic floor muscles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - The mobile surgical outreach (MSO) program was initiated in the Democratic Republic of Congo to deliver care for women with genital fistula in remote areas, integrating healthcare delivery, training, and community awareness from 2013 to 2018.
- - During the study, 1517 women received treatment across 41 clinic sites, with a significant success rate in surgeries, particularly for those suffering from vesicovaginal fistula.
- - The MSO program not only helps reduce the number of patients waiting for surgery but also serves as a model for national strategies to ultimately eliminate fistula treatment needs by offering localized, patient-centered care.
Objective: To describe components of a physical therapy pilot program for women with gynecologic fistula, and to report prospective data from the first 2 years of program implementation.
Methods: A single-cohort observational study with repeated measures was conducted at HEAL Africa Hospital, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. Hospital staff received training in pelvic floor physical therapy.
Objective: To examine the association between "overscheduling" and sports-related overuse and acute injuries in young athletes and to identify other potential contributing factors to create a working definition for "overscheduling injury."
Design: Survey.
Setting: Six university-based sports medicine clinics in North America.