A pilot study to evaluate reusable absorbent body-worn products for adults with moderate/heavy urinary incontinence

• Published in: Journal of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing Vol. 31; no. 6; p. 357
• Main Authors: Macaulay, Margaret, Clarke-O'Neill, Sinead, Fader, Mandy, Pettersson, Lena, Cottenden, Alan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.11.2004
• Subjects: Absorption; Adult; Aged; Attitude to Health; Cross-Over Studies; Diapers, Adult - adverse effects; Diapers, Adult - economics; Diapers, Adult - standards; Diapers, Adult - supply & distribution; Disposable Equipment - standards; Equipment Design; Equipment Failure; Equipment Reuse; Female; Humans; Laundering - methods; Male; Middle Aged; Noise - adverse effects; Nursing Methodology Research; Pilot Projects; Qualitative Research; Severity of Illness Index; Surveys and Questionnaires; Time Factors; Urinary Incontinence - prevention & control; Urinary Incontinence - psychology
• ISSN: 1071-5754
• DOI: 10.1097/00152192-200411000-00007

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the performance of reusable absorbent body-worn products for adults with moderate/heavy urinary incontinence, compare their performance with a group of equivalent disposable products, and establish the need for a larger statistically robust study. Ten men and 4 women living in the community were recruited from locations throughout the United Kingdom. A randomized multiple crossover design was used in which all subjects were given the opportunity to test each product. All the products were available on the UK market in January 2001. The following tools were used in the evaluation: a product performance questionnaire and a pad leakage diary. Overall opinion was used as the primary outcome indicator. The reusable Paddy T was the best performing product overall, outperforming the disposable products. For low leakage and good absorbency (the most important product attributes identified by the subjects), the disposable all-in-one product performed best during the day. However, the Paddy T performed best for night use. The remaining reusable products performed poorly overall. Reusable products for moderate/heavy incontinence remain unpopular for use in isolation. Surprisingly, a product manufactured from terry toweling, a traditional material, performed relatively well. Reusables may provide a useful alternative to disposable products in certain circumstances. The results from this study do not support a more comprehensive costly study.