Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is effective for treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI), say authors of an article published in International Urogynecology Journal. There is no apparent add-on effect of biofeedback (BF) training in short-term follow-up, they add.

Women with SUI were randomized to PFMT with BF (BF group, n = 23) or without BF (PFMT group, n = 23) for 12 weeks. As primary outcome measures, subjective symptoms and QOL were assessed by the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF). A voiding diary, 1-h pad test, and measurement of PFM strength were secondary outcome measures. Changes in the primary and secondary outcomes were assessed before and after 12 weeks of exercise training.

Of the 9 domains of the KHQ, the scores of 5 significantly decreased in the PFMT group; the scores of 7 significantly decreased in the BF group. All ICIQ-SF items and the total score significantly decreased in both groups after therapy. The number of incontinence episodes significantly decreased in the PFMT group, and tended to decrease in the BF group, but this was not significant. The leakage volume in the 1-h pad test tended to decrease in both groups, but was not significant. Maximum vaginal squeeze pressure significantly increased in both groups. There were no significant inter-group differences in the changes in any of the parameters assessed.

In a new APTA podcast lead investigator Gail Jensen, PT, PhD, FAPTA, and coinvestigators Jan Gwyer, PT, PhD, FAPTA, and Terry Nordstrom, PT, EdD, describe the history and background of the study Physical Therapist Education for the 21st Century (PTE-21).      

The PTE-21 research team, which also includes Laurita M. Hack, PT, DPT, MBA, PhD, FAPTA, and Elizabeth Mostrom, PT, PhD, is in the process of conducting 4 site visits aimed at uncovering and examining the crucial dimensions of excellence in physical therapist education across academic and clinical settings.

The group will issue a final report on the first phase of the study in the fall of 2013. Also in 2013, Jensen and colleagues will begin fundraising for the second phase of the study that will include an additional 6 sites. 

Phase I of the study is funded by a 2-year APTA award of $50,000. The funding is the result of a request for proposal (RFP) for "Innovation and Excellence in Academic and Clinical Education Funding" developed by APTA and announced in November 2010. The RFP was targeted at stakeholder groups throughout the profession.  

Measuring patients' vital signs, wellness coaching for cancer survivors, genetics and stroke, and lean health care are just a few of the topics covered in today's CSM Daily News. Thursday's issue also summarizes the 16th annual Pauline Cerasoli Lecture.

Last week the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) started referring to state health insurance exchanges as "marketplaces" in an attempt to rebrand the central component of the Affordable Care Act, says an article in The Hill.  

A press release issued January 17 by HHS announced new grants to support states building health insurance "marketplaces." The agency also revamped HealthCare.gov to reflect the name change. 

Opponents of the health care law say the name change shows the administration is "failing" at getting support for the state-run programs and won't make any difference.

According to The Hill, supporters of health care reform say the name change wasn't meant to assuage political opposition to the health care law. They say that "exchange" simply isn't a very good description. States have come up with their own names for their exchanges. Massachusetts', which predates the federal health care law, is called the "Connector." California named its exchange "Cover California."