Clinical trial NCT02518321: Can Technology-Assisted Toilets Improve Hygiene and Independence in Geriatric Rehabilitation? A Cohort Study
Official title: Can Technology-Assisted Toilets Improve Hygiene and Independence in Geriatric Rehabilitation? A Cohort Study
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: UNKNOWN
Phase: NA
Conditions: Geriatric Rehabilitation
Keywords: Toileting
Technology-Assisted Toilets
Rehabilitation
Assistive Devices
Activities of Daily Living
Lead sponsor: Bruyere Research Institute
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: University of Ottawa
name: Bruyère Academic Medical Organization
name: TOTO USA
First posted: 2015-08-07
Enrollment: 40
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 65
Standard ages: OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: CROSSOVER
Primary purpose: SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Brief summary: Toileting is a private activity of daily living. Geriatric rehabilitation patients are often unable to toilet themselves independently, leading to embarrassment and loss of self-esteem. Relationships with their caregivers may also become strained. Furthermore, improper toileting hygiene can lead to skin irritation, breakdown and infection.

Technology-assisted toilets (TATs) clean and dry the anal and vaginal regions using a stream of water and a fan. They can therefore potentially eliminate the need for patients to be able to wipe themselves. TATs are operated using wall-mounted remote controls. This study will examine the potential benefits of TAT use in geriatric rehabilitation patients.

Forty patients aged ≥65 years referred for treatment of physical impairments to the Geriatric Rehabilitation Unit (GRU) of the Elisabeth Bruyère Hospital (EBH) will be recruited for this study. Participants will have a bowel movement on two occasions, once using toilet paper and once using the TAT. The Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS), a validated questionnaire, will be used to analyze participants' toileting experience. Participants will be visually evaluated for cleanliness before and after each testing session.

The investigators hypothesize that participants will report that, in comparison with use of a standard toilet, toileting using the TAT: 1) is easier to use, 2) improves psychological well-being and 3) is more effective at cleaning than regular wiping techniques.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

1. over the age of 65
2. inpatients at the EBH GRU
3. can communicate effectively in English or French
4. are able to remain balanced while sitting on a toilet
5. are able to physically use the remote control
6. are able to wipe themselves, but they do not need to be able to wipe themselves effectively

Exclusion Criteria:

1. are cognitively unable to provide informed consent
2. are severely aphasic
3. are undergoing treatment that interferes with toileting
4. have any conditions that increase perineal sensitivity such as ulcers, wounds, or infections
5. require two people to assist them in transferring to and from the toilet
6. are under isolation precautions

Primary outcomes:
measure: Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS)
timeFrame: up to 12 weeks
measure: Cleanliness Scale
timeFrame: up to 12 weeks
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
Study officials:
affiliation: Bruyère Continuing Care, Bruyère Research Institute, Elisabeth Bruyère Hospital, University of Ottawa.
name: Hillel Finestone, MD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: