Effectiveness of Multimodal Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Program in Children With Different Types of Urinary Incontinence

DVAISS was developed to evaluate the severity of dysfunctional voiding and incontinence symptoms by Akbal et al. DVAISS consists of 14 questions examining daytime and nighttime symptoms, bladder and bowel habits, and quality of life. DVAISS score is based on the estimated odds ratio for each question between participants and controls. If the estimated odds ratio of the question is between 2 and 10, one point is given and if the estimated odds ratio is greater than 50, five points are given. The total score varies between 0 and 35. The increase in the total score indicates that the severity of the symptoms increases. A score of 8.5 or higher on the scale indicates the presence of bladder and bowel dysfunction. The Cronbach Alpha value of the scale was determined as 0.50.

BBDQ was developed to evaluate symptoms of bladder and bowel dysfunction by Afshar et al. The Turkish validity and reliability was conducted by Kaya Narter et al. BBDQ includes 13 questions about bladder and bowel symptoms such as incontinence, voiding, enuresis, dysuria, and constipation. Each question is scored on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from zero to four points. The total score varies between 0 and 52. As the total score increases, symptom severity worsens. A score of 11 points or above is considered bladder and bowel dysfunction. Cronbach Alpha value of the scale was found to be 0.727.

CBBDQ consists of a total of 18 questions that assess bladder and bowel symptoms in children. CBBDQ has two subdimensions: Bladder Symptoms Scale (10 questions) and Bowel Symptoms Scale (8 questions). Considering the presence of children's symptoms in the last month, CBBDQ is filled out by parents on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from zero (no symptoms) to four points (symptoms occur almost every day). The total score from the scale varies between 0 and 72. As the total score increases, symptoms worsen. The Turkish validity and reliability of the scale was conducted by Aydin et al. Cronbach Alpha values were determined as 0.74 and 0.71 for bladder and bowel subdimensions, respectively.

The bladder diary is a simple and non-invasive method that objectively assesses bladder habits. The bladder diary is used to record the type and amount of consumed fluid over 48 hours, the amount and duration of urination, urgency, urinary frequency, and the amount and time of urinary incontinence. The bladder diary is desirable to record for two consecutive days. The amount of consumed fluid and the urination is expressed in milliliters (ml), and the duration of urination is expressed in seconds (sec).

The ICCS recommends the use of a seven-day bowel diary in children with lower urinary tract symptoms due to the close relationship between bladder and bowel function. The bowel diary questions the defecation frequency, pain during defecation, urgency, stool type, and the presence of fecal incontinence. The Bristol Stool Scale is used for stool type. The bowel diary consists of seven pictures and stool form descriptors and allows children to express participants' bowel movement intensity.

A NeuroTrac MyoPlus 4 PRO (Verity Medical LTD., UK) type EMG device will be used in the study. Bioelectrical activities of the muscles (pelvic floor muscles, abdominal muscles, diaphragm, multifidus) will be recorded with disposable 3.2 x 3.2 cm superficial electrodes. To reduce skin impedance, the skin area will be cleaned with an alcohol swab. Active electrodes will be placed on the right side of the body, parallel to the muscle fibers, according to the reference points. The reference electrode will be placed on the anterior superior iliac spine. Measurements will be performed during five seconds of maximal voluntary contraction ('work' phase EMG activity) and five seconds of relaxation ('rest' phase EMG activity) of the pelvic floor muscles. Measurements will be repeated for three times. The graphic and numerical data provided by the device will be recorded in the evaluation form.

Pelvic floor displacement, endurance, phasic contraction and coordination, bladder volume, bladder wall thickness and post voiding residue, abdominal muscles and multifidus thicknesses, diaphragmatic displacement and thickness will be measured. A transabdominal diagnostic USG device (Sonospace SSI-600) with a low frequency (2-5 MHz) curvilinear transducer will be used. Muscle thickness and distance measurements will be made during frozen imaging. Muscle thickness will be measured between the upper border of the muscle fascia, which appears as a white line, and the end point of the lower border. Measurements will be taken at the expiration and during a five-second pelvic floor muscle contraction. Both measurement results will be recorded in millimeters. All measurements will be repeated three times and the average values will be noted on the evaluation form.