Bladder management in female stroke survivors: translating research into practice

Abstract

Aims: Impaired bladder management is common after stroke. By implementing evidence-based interventions, comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation can assist the stroke survivor in improving bladder management skills. The study goal was to determine if these interventions could improve bladder function of these stroke survivors.

Methods: This research utilization project was implemented in a free-standing inpatient rehabilitation facility, on 35 female stroke survivors. Thirty-five patients discharged from the same facility immediately before implementation of these interventions were used as the control group.

Results: Functional independence measure (FIM) bladder score was used to determine bladder function at admission and discharge, and to calculate FIM change. ANOVA results indicated that implementation of these interventions did significantly increase bladder FIM scores.

Conclusions: Consistent implementation of evidence-based interventions by an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team can influence bladder management skills in poststroke patients.