REVIEW PAPER
The role of mobile applications in the conservative management of stress urinary incontinence in women
 
More details
Hide details
1
Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
 
2
Małopolski Szpital Ortopedyczno-Rehabilitacyjny im. prof. Bogusława Frańczuka, Krakow, Poland
 
 
Submission date: 2021-08-11
 
 
Acceptance date: 2021-12-15
 
 
Publication date: 2022-06-21
 
 
Physiother Quart. 2023;31(1):51-57
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Urinary incontinence (UI) affecting over 300 million women worldwide, regardless of race and age, is considered one of the most important health issues in the 21st century. Due to the scale of the problem, the priority should be to provide therapy to as many patients as possible. Although effective conservative treatment measures for UI are available, they may not cater to all individuals who seek help. Sometimes a sense of embarrassment or a fear of stigmatization causes patients’ reluctance to report UI symptoms to their health provider and to join therapy. That forces to search for the new approach. In this field, use of mHealth technologies seems very promising. They became even more valuable during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the interest in telemedicine, as a means of providing care, while not being exposed to the risk of virus infection, further increased.
The purpose of this work is a narrative review showing possibilities of using conservative measures of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women, with particular emphasis on the use of mHealth technologies, as recent studies have shown that mobile application seem to be an effective tool in terms of improving SUI symptoms, satisfaction and adherence to therapy.
 
REFERENCES (53)
1.
Haylen BT, de Ridder D, Freeman RM, Swift SE, Bergh­mans B, Lee J, et al. An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for female pelvic floor dysfunction. Neurourol Urodyn. 2010;29:4–20; doi: 10.1002/nau.20798.
 
2.
Abrams P, Cardozo L, Wagg A, Wein A (eds.). Incontinence, 6th ed. Bristol: International Continence Society; 2017.
 
3.
Shamliyan T, Wyman J, Bliss DZ, Kane RL, Wilt TJ. Prevention of urinary and fecal incontinence in adults. Evid Rep Technol Assess. 2007;161:1–379.
 
4.
Aoki Y, Brown HW, Brubaker L, Cornu JN, Daly JO, Cartwright R. Urinary incontinence in women. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17042; doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2017.42.
 
5.
Hu JS, Pierre EF. Urinary incontinence in women: evaluation and management. Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(6):339–348.
 
6.
Sangsawang B, Sangsawang N. Stress urinary incontinence in pregnant women: a review of prevalence, pathophysiology, and treatment. Int Urogynecol J. 2013;24(6):901–912; doi: 10.1007/s00192-013-2061-7.
 
7.
Hillary CJ, Osman N, Chapple C. Considerations in the modern management of stress urinary incontinence resulting from intrinsic sphincter deficiency. World J Urol. 2015;33(9):1251–1256; doi: 10.1007/s00345-015-1599-z.
 
8.
World Health Organization. mHealth: new horizons for health through mobile technologies: based on the findings of the second global survey on eHealth. Geneva: WHO; 2011. Available 10.05.2021 from: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitst....
 
9.
Office of Electronic Communications. Survey of public opinion on the functioning of the market for telecommunications services and consumer preferences. Report on the individual customer survey [in Polish]. Warszawa, Gdańsk: Office of Electronic Communications; 2019. Available 12.05.2021 from: https://uke.gov.pl/akt/badania....
 
10.
Wadensten T, Nyström E, Franzén K, Lindam A, Wasteson E, Samuelsson E. A mobile app for self-management of urgency and mixed urinary incontinence in women: randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res. 2021;23(4):e19439; doi: 10.2196/19439.
 
11.
Lindh A, Sjöström M, Stenlund H, Samuelsson E. Non-face-to-face treatment of stress urinary incontinence: predictors of success after 1 year. Int Urogynecol J. 2016;27(12):1857–1865; doi: 10.1007/s00192-016-3050-4.
 
12.
Sjöström M, Lindholm L, Samuelsson E. Mobile app for treatment of stress urinary incontinence: a cost-effectiveness analysis. J Med Internet Res. 2017;19(5):e154; doi: 10.2196/jmir.7383.
 
13.
Novara G, Checcucci E, Crestani A, Abrate A, Esperto F, Pavan N, et al. Telehealth in urology: a systematic review of the literature. How much can telemedicine be useful during and after the COVID-19 pandemic? Eur Urol. 2020;78(6):786–811; doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2020.06.025.
 
14.
World Health Organization. Adherence to long-term therapies: evidence for action. Geneva: WHO; 2003. Available 10.05.2021 from: https://apps.who.int/iris/hand....
 
15.
Borello-France D, Burgio KL, Goode PS, Markland AD, Kenton K, Balasubramanyam A, et al. Adherence to behavioral interventions for urge incontinence when combined with drug therapy: adherence rates, barriers, and predictors. Phys Ther. 2010;90(10):1493–1505; doi: 10.2522/ptj.20080387.
 
16.
Dumoulin C, Hay-Smith J, Frawley H, McClurg D, Alewijnse D, Bo K, et al. 2014 consensus statement on improving pelvic floor muscle training adherence: International Continence Society 2011 State-of-the-Science Seminar. Neurourol Urodyn. 2015;34(7):600–605; doi: 10.1002/nau.22796.
 
17.
Swift SE, Yoon EA. Test-retest reliability of the cough stress test in the evaluation of urinary incontinence. Obstet Gynecol. 1999;94(1):99–102; doi: 10.1016/s0029-7844(99)00314-2.
 
18.
Laycock J, Jerwood D. Pelvic floor muscle assessment: the PERFECT scheme. Physiotherapy. 2001;87(12):631–642; doi: 10.1016/S0031-9406(05)61108-X.
 
19.
Laycock J, Whelan MM, Dumoulin C. Patient assessment. In: Haslam J, Laycock J (eds.), Therapeutic management of incontinence and pelvic pain: pelvic organ disorders, 2nd ed. London: Springer; 2007; 57–66.
 
20.
Fernandes ACNL, Reis BM, Patrizzi LJ, Meirelles MCCC. Clinical functional evaluation of female’s pelvic floor: integrative review. Fisioter Mov. 2018;31:e003124; doi: 10.1590/1980-5918.031.AO24.
 
21.
Lee K. Investigation of electromyographic activity of pelvic floor muscles in different body positions to prevent urinary incontinence. Med Sci Monit. 2019;25:9357–9363; doi: 10.12659/MSM.920819.
 
22.
Navarro Brazález B, Sánchez Sánchez B, Prieto Gómez V, De La Villa Polo P, McLean L, Torres Lacomba M. Pelvic floor and abdominal muscle responses during hypopressive exercises in women with pelvic floor dysfunction. Neurourol Urodyn. 2020;39(2):793–803; doi: 10.1002/nau.24284.
 
23.
Yoshida M, Murayama R, Hotta K, Higuchi Y, Sanada H. Differences in motor learning of pelvic floor muscle contraction between women with and without stress urinary incontinence: evaluation by transabdominal ultrasonography. Neurourol Urodyn. 2017;36(1):98–103; doi: 10.1002/nau.22867.
 
24.
Rajalakshmi D, Senthil Kumar NS. Strengthening transversus abdominis in pregnancy related pelvic pain: the pressure biofeedback stabilization training. Glob J Health Sci. 2012;4(4):55–61; doi: 10.5539/gjhs.v4n4p55.
 
25.
Opara J, Socha T, Prajsner A, Poświata A. Physiotherapy in stress urinary incontinence in females. Part III. Electrical stimulation in stress urinary incontinence. Fizjotera­pia. 2012;20(1):79–86; doi: 10.2478/v10109-012-0010-5.
 
26.
Sheikhhoseini R, Arab AM. Dry needling in myofascial tracks in non-relaxing pelvic floor dysfunction: a case study. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2018;22(2):337–340; doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.09.016.
 
27.
Kassolik K, Kurpas D, Andrzejewski W, Wilk I, Swiatek M. The effectiveness of massage in stress urinary incontinence – case study. Rehabil Nurs. 2013;38(6):306–314; doi: 10.1002/rnj.91.
 
28.
Adams SR, Dessie SG, Dodge LE, Mckinney JL, Hacker MR, Elkadry EA. Pelvic floor physical therapy as primary treatment of pelvic floor disorders with urinary urgency and frequency-predominant symptoms. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2015;21(5):252–256; doi: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000000195.
 
29.
Hains G, Hains F, Descarreaux M, Bussières A. Urinary incontinence in women treated by ischemic compression over the bladder area: a pilot study. J Chiropr Med. 2007;6(4):132–140; doi: 10.1016/j.jcme.2007.10.001.
 
30.
Correia GN, Pereira VS, Hirakawa HS, Driusso P. Effects of surface and intravaginal electrical stimulation in the treatment of women with stress urinary incontinence: randomized controlled trial. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2014;173:113–118; doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2013.11.023.
 
31.
Pereira VS, Bonioti L, Correia GN, Driusso P. Effects of surface electrical stimulation in older women with stress urinary incontinence: a randomized controlled pilot study [in Spanish]. Actas Urol Esp. 2012;36(8):491–496; doi: 10.1016/j.acuro.2011.11.016.
 
32.
Fürst MCB, de Mendonça RR, Rodrigues AO, de Matos LL, Pompeo ACL, Bezerra CA. Long-term results of a clinical trial comparing isolated vaginal stimulation with combined treatment for women with stress incontinence. Einstein. 2014;12(2):168–174; doi: 10.1590/s1679-45082014ao2866.
 
33.
Cardinale M, Bosco C. The use of vibration as an exercise intervention. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2003;31(1):3–7; doi: 10.1097/00003677-200301000-00002.
 
34.
Farzinmehr A, Moezy A, Koohpayehzadeh J, Kashanian M. A comparative study of whole body vibration training and pelvic floor muscle training on women’s stress urinary incontinence: three-month follow-up. J Family Reprod Health. 2015;9(4):147–154.
 
35.
De Oliveira Guedes-Aguiar E, da Cuncha de Sá-Caputo D, Moreira-Marconi E, de Macêdo Uchôa SM, de Barros PZ, Valentin EK, et al. Effect of whole-body vibration exercise in the pelvic floor muscles of healthy and unhealthy individuals: a narrative review. Transl Androl Urol. 2019;8(4):395–404; doi: 10.21037/tau.2019.06.14.
 
36.
Yamanishi T, Suzuki T, Sato R, Kaga K, Kaga M, Fuse M. Effects of magnetic stimulation on urodynamic stress incontinence refractory to pelvic floor muscle training in a randomized sham-controlled study. Low Urin Tract Symptoms. 2019;11(1):61–65; doi: 10.1111/luts.12197.
 
37.
Samuels JB, Pezzella A, Berenholz J, Alinsod R. Safety and efficacy of a non-invasive high-intensity focused electromagnetic field (HIFEM) device for treatment of urinary incontinence and enhancement of quality of life. Lasers Surg Med. 2019;51(9):760–766; doi: 10.1002/lsm.23106.
 
38.
He Q, Xiao K, Peng L, Lai J, Li H, Luo D, et al. An effective meta-analysis of magnetic stimulation therapy for urinary incontinence. Sci Rep. 2019;9(1):9077; doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-45330-9.
 
39.
Wang X, Xu X, Luo J, Chen Z, Feng S. Effect of app-based audio guidance pelvic floor muscle training on treatment of stress urinary incontinence in primiparas: a randomized controlled trial. Int J Nurs Stud. 2020;104:103527; doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103527.
 
40.
Fitz FF, Gimenez MM, de Azevedo Ferreira L, Matias MMP, Bortolini MAT, Castro RA. Pelvic floor muscle training for female stress urinary incontinence: a randomised control trial comparing home and outpatient training. Int Urogynecol J. 2020;31(5):989–998; doi: 10.1007/s00192-019-04081-x.
 
41.
Bø K, Sherburn M, Allen T. Transabdominal ultrasound measurement of pelvic floor muscle activity when activated directly or via a transversus abdominis muscle contraction. Neurourol Urodyn. 2003;22(6):582–588; doi: 10.1002/nau.10139.
 
42.
Baeßler K, Junginger B. Traditional gymnastic exercises for the pelvic floor often lead to bladder neck descent – a study using perineal ultrasound. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2017;77(7):765–770; doi: 10.1055/s-0043-103460.
 
43.
Barton A, Serrao C, Thompson J, Briffa K. Transabdominal ultrasound to assess pelvic floor muscle performance during abdominal curl in exercising women. Int Urogynecol J. 2015;26(12):1789–1795; doi: 10.1007/s00192-015-2791-9.
 
44.
Thompson JA, O’Sullivan PB, Briffa NK, Neumann P. Assessment of voluntary pelvic floor muscle contraction in continent and incontinent women using transperineal ultrasound, manual muscle testing and vaginal squeeze pressure measurements. Int Urogynecol J. 2006;17(6):624–630; doi: 10.1007/s00192-006-0081-2.
 
45.
Tibaek S, Dehlendorff C. Pelvic floor muscle function in women with pelvic floor dysfunction: a retrospective chart review, 1992–2008. Int Urogynecol J. 2014;25(5):663–669; doi: 10.1007/s00192-013-2277-6.
 
46.
Dantas LO, Carvalho C, de Jesus Santos BL, Ferreira CHJ, Bø K, Driusso P. Mobile health technologies for the management of urinary incontinence: a systematic review of online stores in Brazil. Braz J Phys Ther. 2021;25(4):387–395; doi: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2021.01.001.
 
47.
Asklund I, Nyström E, Sjöström M, Umefjord G, Stenlund H, Samuelsson E. Mobile app for treatment of stress urinary incontinence: a randomized controlled trial. Neu­­rourol Urodyn. 2017;36(5):1369–1376; doi: 10.1002/nau.23116.
 
48.
Hoffman V, Söderström L, Samuelsson E. Self-management of stress urinary incontinence via a mobile app: two-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2017;96(10):1180–1187; doi: 10.1111/aogs.13192.
 
49.
Araujo CC, de A Marques A, Juliato CRT. The adherence of home pelvic floor muscles training using a mobile device application for women with urinary incontinence: a randomized controlled trial. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2020;26(11):697–703; doi: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000000670.
 
50.
Nyström E, Söderström L, Samuelsson E. Self-management of incontinence using a free mobile app: factors associated with improvement. Int Urogynecol J. 2022;33:877–885; doi: 10.1007/s00192-021-04755-5.
 
51.
Free C, Phillips G, Galli L, Watson L, Felix L, Edwards P, et al. The effectiveness of mobile-health technology-based health behaviour change or disease management interventions for health care consumers: a systematic review. PLoS Med. 2013;10(1):e1001362; doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001362.
 
52.
Powell AC, Landman AB, Bates DW. In search of a few good apps. JAMA. 2014;311(18):1851–1852; doi: 10.1001/jama.2014.2564.
 
53.
Bernard S, Boucher S, McLean L, Moffet H. Mobile technologies for the conservative self-management of urinary incontinence: a systematic scoping review. Int Urogynecol J. 2020;31(6):1163–1174; doi: 10.1007/s00192-019-04012-w.
 
eISSN:2544-4395
Journals System - logo
Scroll to top