Characteristics of Lower Limb Muscle Strength, Balance, Mobility, and Function in Older Women with Urge and Mixed Urinary Incontinence: An Observational Pilot Study

Purpose: After the age of 65, urinary incontinence (UI) occurs in one of every two women. A positive correlation between falls and urgency UI (UUI) or mixed UI (MUI) has also been identified. However, lower extremity impairments in older women with UUI or MUI have not been thoroughly investigated. The primary goal of this study was to compare lower limb strength, balance, mobility, and function in older women with and without UUI or MUI. The secondary goal was to evaluate the association between these measurements and UI severity. Method: A total of 40 older women with and without UUI or MUI completed standardized tests for lower limb strength (knee flexor or extensor dynamometry, 30-second sit-to-stand test), balance (single-leg stance test, Four Square Step Test, Activities-specific Balance Confidence questionnaire), mobility (10-metre walk test, 6-minute walk test), and function (Human Activity Profile questionnaire, 12-Item Short Form Health Survey). Results: Significant differences in balance and mobility were observed between the two groups. Women with UI had shorter single-leg stance times, lower balance confidence scores, and slower gait speeds. Conclusions: The results from this pilot study suggest that high-functioning older women with UUI or MUI have balance and mobility impairments. More studies are needed to confirm these results. By reporting power calculations for sample size, this pilot study provides a useful basis on which to design and conduct larger studies.