Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2020 Apr;39(4):1036-1048.
doi: 10.1002/nau.24335. Epub 2020 Mar 18.

Use of mobile apps for controlling of the urinary incontinence: A systematic review

Affiliations

Use of mobile apps for controlling of the urinary incontinence: A systematic review

Anita Bellotto Leme Nagib et al. Neurourol Urodyn. 2020 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: The primary objective was to evaluate the impact of app use on urinary incontinence control through pelvic floor muscle training when compared to the postal treatment plan. The secondary objectives were to evaluate how app use may affect the quality of life (QoL) of users and treatment adherence.

Material and methods: Eight databases (PubMed, SciELO, Embase, Web of Science, LILACS, Open Gray, Open Thesis, and OATD) were used as research sources. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD 42020145709). Randomized controlled trials assessing urinary incontinence (UI) control with app use, with no restriction of year, language, and status of publication were included. The JBI Systematic Reviews Checklist for Randomized Controlled Trials assessed the risk of bias of the studies selected. The mean scores of QoL between the pre- and postintervention periods were compared through standardized mean differences, which were weighted according to the number of months between the two periods.

Results: Only three studies met the eligibility criteria and were included. The methodological quality of the studies was from "low" to "moderate" risk of bias. The full sample included 203 patients with app-based treatment e 203 controls of postal treatment. All studies showed the reduction of urinary symptoms. In addition, two studies showed a reduction of QoL scores specific for the condition, while one study presented increased scores.

Conclusion: Reminder therapy seems to be a promising strategy for controlling UI.

Keywords: mobile app; pelvic floor; pelvic floor muscle training; urinary incontinence.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

REFERENCES

    1. Haylen BT, de Ridder D, Freeman RM, et al. An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for female pelvic floor dysfunction. Int Urogynecol J. 2010;21:5-26.
    1. Abrams P, Cardoso L, Wagg A, et al. Incontinence: 6th International Consultation on Incontinence. 6th Ed. Tokyo, Japan; 2017.
    1. Zivkovic D, Kojovic V, Franic D. Urinary incontinence: an update (editorial). Biomed Res Int. 2019:1-2.
    1. Committee on Practice Bulletins. Gynecology and American Urogynecologic Society ACOG Practice bulletin no. 155: urinary incontinence in women. Obstet Gynecol. 2015;126(5):e66-e81.
    1. Kozomara-Hocke M, Hermanns T, Poyet C. Male urinary incontinence - a taboo issue. Praxis (Bern 1994). 2016;105(5):269-277.

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources