Effectiveness of a computer-based system to deliver a continence health promotion intervention.

Objective: The objective of this study was to test a computer-based system for continence health promotion that included self-management techniques for women with symptoms of involuntary urine loss, urinary frequency or urgency, or nocturia.

Design: A quasi-experimental trial design with repeated measures was used.

Setting And Subjects: Older women (n = 71) with continence problems were recruited and completed a computer session.

Instruments: Outcomes were measured with the Urogenital Distress Inventory-Short Form, the Incontinence Impact on Life Questionnaire-Short Form, and a bladder diary. A modified Questionnaire for User Interface Satisfaction was used to measure satisfaction with the system.

Methods: Participants assigned to the intervention group (n = 36) used the computer-based system for continence health promotion, and those in the wait list control group (n = 35) used an alternate system. Data were collected at baseline and 8 weeks after the computer session.

Results: Analysis of covariance results on symptom distress and quality of life scores showed no significant treatment effect, although a trend toward improvement was observed. The intervention group improved significantly on urogenital distress (P = .01) and quality of life (P = .003) outcomes, but the control group did not. Women had little difficulty using the system and expressed satisfaction with the individualized information provided.

Conclusions: Although the computer-based system did not result in significantly improved outcomes when comparing women in the 2 groups, the computer-based group improved significantly from baseline to follow-up. Further research on a computer-based system that women could access independently or that nurses could use to supplement traditional care is warranted.