Self-management of vaginal pessaries for pelvic organ prolapse: multi-method process evaluation, linked to the TOPSY randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pelvic organ prolapse negatively affects women's quality of life globally. Vaginal pessaries are a common first-line treatment. The evidence base to support pessary self-management and to understand how it affects women's lives is poor. This study aimed to identify the acceptability, effectiveness, fidelity to delivery, and adherence for women treated with vaginal pessary for prolapse and the healthcare professionals who treat them and how these differed between self-management and clinic-based care.

Methods

Multi-method process evaluation embedded within a randomised controlled trial in 21 UK secondary care centres. Data were collected using the following: Recordings of self-management support appointments (n = 21) and 2-week post-support follow-up phone calls (n

SUBMITTER: Bugge C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12797790 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature