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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2020 Nov;26(11):697-703.
doi: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000000670.

The Adherence of Home Pelvic Floor Muscles Training Using a Mobile Device Application for Women With Urinary Incontinence: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Camila C Araujo  1 , Andrea de A Marques  2 , Cassia R T Juliato  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

The Adherence of Home Pelvic Floor Muscles Training Using a Mobile Device Application for Women With Urinary Incontinence: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Camila C Araujo et al. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of a mobile device application (app) for the treatment of urinary incontinence through adherence to home pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and its impact on urinary symptoms.

Methods: This prospective randomized study included women with stress urinary incontinence. They were randomized into 2 groups: the app group, which used an app developed using the same visual component of electromyography as a guide for PFMT and followed exercises shown on the screen, and the control group, which received written instructions with the same protocol as the app group but without the dynamic sequence of PFMT images. Exercises were done twice a day. Reevaluation was repeated at 1, 2, and 3 months after the initial evaluation. Changes in urinary and vaginal symptoms were evaluated using questionnaires, and the Oxford Modified Scale was determined through digital palpation.

Results: Twenty-one women were included in the study (app group, n = 12; control group, n = 09). Adherence (number of repetitions) was higher in the app group at 2 and 3 months after PFMT (P < 0.001), but adherence decrease, especially in the control group, at 1, 2, and 3 months. Vaginal symptoms (P < 0.001), quality of life (P = 0.003), urinary symptoms (P < 0.001), and stress urinary symptoms (P < 0.001) showed improvement comparing baseline and during treatment, but there was no difference between the app and control groups (P values, 0.887, 0.817, 0.573, and 0.825, respectively).

Conclusions: Using the app increased adherence to PFMT in women with urinary incontinence symptoms and improved subjective perception.

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