Tele-rehabilitation for Women With Urinary Incontinence

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF PATRAS · Nov 29, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study is testing three ways to help Greek women with urinary incontinence (leaking urine). It’s a randomized trial with three groups: 1) a tele-rehabilitation program where you’ll do pelvic floor exercises at home using a smartphone app and a wearable sensor, with a physiotherapist supervising remotely; 2) traditional, in-clinic pelvic floor training with a physiotherapist; and 3) a home program guided only by a printed leaflet and no supervision. Participants will be evaluated at the start, halfway (6 weeks), and at the end (12 weeks) using surveys and simple tests that measure urine leakage and how much it affects daily life. The goal is to see which method best reduces leakage and improves quality of life.

To be eligible, you must be a Greek woman aged 18–75 with stress urinary incontinence or mixed urinary incontinence, able to read Greek and use a smartphone and internet, and capable of doing pelvic floor muscle contractions. Exclusions include being within 6 months after childbirth, certain illnesses or surgeries, cancer, neurological or mental health issues, or major gynecologic surgery in the past decade. The study plans about 60 participants and is conducted at the University of Patras. It is currently enrolling by invitation, with results expected after the 12-week program and follow-up. To keep the results fair, the people analyzing the data will not know which group each participant was in.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Greek women,
• • 18-75 years old,
• • Diagnosis of SUI or mixed UI (via Urodynamic test).
• • Writing and reading of the Greek language
• • Usage of 'smartphones' and internet,
• • Able to perform a voluntary muscle contraction of the PFM, during the clinical examination.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 6 months after postpartum,
• • Systemic diseases,
• • Malignancy,
• • Major gynecological surgery (i.e. total hysterectomy) over the last 10 years,
• • Neurological dysfunction,
• • Mental impairment