[Telerehabilitation to treat stress urinary incontinence. Pilot study]

Abstract

Background and objective: We aimed to test a new telerehabilitation device for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in order to make an initial assessment of its effectiveness.

Patients and method: Randomized, controlled pilot study.

Intervention: experimental group (10 patients): pelvic floor muscle training, device training and home treatment with it; control group (9 patients): conventional rehabilitation treatment. Outcome measures (baseline and 3 months) overall and specific quality of life: International Consultation Incontinence Questionnaire and King's Health Questionnaire, bladder diary, perineometry, satisfaction with the program and degree of compliance.

Results: Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. There was no statistically significant difference for any outcome measures between groups at the end of the follow-up. The change in perineometry values at baseline and after the intervention was significant in the experimental group (23.06 to 32.00, P=.011). No group in this study had any serious adverse effects.

Conclusions: The tested device is safe and well accepted. Although there is some evidence of its efficacy in the rehabilitation treatment of SUI, larger trials are needed to appropriately evaluate the potential advantages.

Keywords: Biofeedback; Calidad de vida; Entrenamiento; Incontinencia urinaria; Incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo; Musculatura del suelo pélvico; Pelvic floor; Pelvic floor musculature; Perineometry; Perineometría; Quality of life; Rehabilitation; Stress urinary incontinence; Suelo pélvico; Telerehabilitation; Telerrehabilitación; Training; Urinary incontinence.