Use of a Mobile Application for Pelvic Floor Muscle Training in Women with Urinary Incontinence: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent condition among women, significantly impacting their quality of life. Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is a first-line treatment for UI, but adherence to traditional PFMT regimens is often challenging. Mobile health applications offer a promising solution to improve adherence and outcomes in PFMT.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile application for PFMT in women with urinary incontinence compared to traditional PFMT instructions.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 32 women aged 30-60 years diagnosed with stress, urge, or mixed urinary incontinence. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which used a mobile application for PFMT, or the control group, which received standard PFMT instructions. The intervention lasted for 12 weeks. Baseline and post-intervention assessments included the frequency of incontinence episodes, pelvic floor muscle strength (measured with a perineometer), and quality of life (measured using the Urogenital Distress Inventory and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire). Adherence to the intervention was monitored through app usage tracking and weekly follow-up phone calls for the control group. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, with repeated-measures ANOVA used to assess within-group and between-group differences over time.

Conclusion: The use of a mobile application for pelvic floor muscle training significantly improved urinary incontinence symptoms, pelvic floor muscle strength, and quality of life in women compared to traditional PFMT instructions. These findings support the integration of digital health tools into the management of urinary incontinence.