400 Section - The efficacy of mobile apps in the rehabilitation of pelvic floor disorders in premenopausal women

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PT

Presenting Author/Autor expositor(s)

AD

Andrea Demeco, MD

Researcher
University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia"
Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy

Corresponding Author/Autor a quien dirigir la corr(s)

Ad

Alessandro de Sire, MD

Associate Professor
University of Catanzaro "Magna Grecia"
Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy

Presenting Author/Autor expositor(s)

SP

Saveriomaria Perrone, MD

Medical resident
University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro
Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy
MB

Matteo Burello, MD

Medical resident
University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro
Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy
FM

Flavio MIgnone, MD

Medical resident
University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro
Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy

Co-Author/Coautor(s)

NM

Nicola Marotta, MD

Associate Professor
University of Catanzaro "magna Grecia"
Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy
AA

Antonio Ammendolia, MD

Full Professor
University of Catanzaro "magna Grecia"
Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy

Objectives : Pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFD), including urinary incontinence, are a relevant clinical issue among premenopausal women. Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is the first-line conservative treatment, but limited adherence often reduces its effectiveness. Mobile health (mHealth) tools, particularly pelvic-floor–focused applications, have shown promising results, though evidence remains inconsistent. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile applications for PFD rehabilitation in premenopausal women.

Design: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating mobile app–based interventions for urinary incontinence, pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, or quality of life in premenopausal women were included. The PICO model defined population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes. Study quality was assessed with ROB2.

Results: Out of 1204 records, 6 RCTs were included. Mobile applications showed effectiveness in improving urinary incontinence symptoms, pelvic floor muscle strength, adherence, and quality of life. Chen et al. reported significant improvements in ICIQ-UI-SF scores both at 2 months (mean difference −2.86; p< .001) and 6 weeks postpartum (mean difference −2.68; p< .001). Wang et al. also showed greater symptom reduction at 6 weeks postpartum (β = −4.245; p< .001). Dufour et al. observed significant improvements in UDI-6 scores. He et al. demonstrated higher adherence to PFMT in the experimental group (p = 0.012; p< 0.001). Xu et al. reported significantly lower urine loss in the 1-hour pad test compared to controls (p< 0.05). Chu et al. found that app-based reminders significantly increased daily PFMT adherence (53.9% vs 20.8%, p< 0.01) and improved pelvic floor muscle peak sEMG and endurance.

Conclusion: Mobile applications appear to be effective and accessible tools for conservative PFD rehabilitation in premenopausal women, improving adherence and self-efficacy. Their success, however, depends on app design quality and patient willingness to engage with digital technologies.