This study aims to investigate the effects of urotherapy education provided to families of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy on parents' knowledge, lifestyle changes, and satisfaction with the education. Families will receive an online urotherapy education session covering lower urinary tract function, bladder and bowel habits, appropriate toileting behaviors, lifestyle recommendations, and related management strategies. Parents' knowledge and awareness will be assessed before the education, immediately after the education, and two weeks later. Satisfaction with the education will also be evaluated after the session.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that may also be accompanied by lower urinary tract symptoms. Urotherapy is a conservative, non-pharmacological approach that includes education on bladder and bowel function, appropriate voiding and defecation habits, lifestyle modifications, and strategies for managing lower urinary tract symptoms. This prospective interventional study will evaluate the effects of an online urotherapy education program provided to families of children with DMD. The education will be delivered remotely in a single session of approximately three hours. Participants will be assessed before the education, immediately after the education, and two weeks later and 2 months after. The study will examine changes in parents' knowledge and awareness of urotherapy-related behaviors and lifestyle practices, as well as their satisfaction with the education provided.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
50
Participants will receive a single online urotherapy education session lasting approximately three hours. The education will include information about lower urinary tract anatomy and function, lower urinary tract symptoms, bladder and bowel habits, appropriate voiding and defecation postures, scheduled voiding and defecation, fluid intake, lifestyle modifications, pelvic floor muscle awareness, and general strategies for managing lower urinary tract symptoms. Educational materials may include visual materials, videos, and other supporting resources.
Lokman Hekim University, Ankara, Ankara
Ankara, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)
Change in Urotherapy Knowledge Level
Parents' knowledge of urotherapy will be assessed using a 10-item knowledge test developed by the researchers based on the educational content. The test consists of five true/false and five multiple-choice questions. Each correct answer is worth 10 points, resulting in a total score ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate a higher level of knowledge about urotherapy.
Time frame: Baseline, two weeks after, 8 weeks after
Change in Urotherapy-Related Lifestyle Behaviors
Urotherapy-related lifestyle behaviors will be assessed using awareness questions developed by the researchers. The questions evaluate voiding frequency, defecation frequency, daily water intake, consumption of tea, coffee, and carbonated beverages, appropriate toileting posture, and implementation of lifestyle recommendations introduced during the urotherapy education. Changes in these behaviors after the education will be evaluated.
Time frame: After 2 weeks and 8 weeks
Satisfaction With Urotherapy Education
Satisfaction with the urotherapy education will be assessed using an 8-item satisfaction questionnaire developed by the researchers. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The total score ranges from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction with the education.
Time frame: Baseline
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