The effects of a heating pad on anxiety, pain, and distress during urodynamic study in the female patients with stress urinary incontinence

Abstract

AimsAlthough 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. MethodsA 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. ResultsDemographic 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 (30.97.5 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). ConclusionsUsing 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.