Evaluation of an accelerometer-based digital health system for the treatment of female urinary incontinence: A pilot study

Abstract

Aims: To assess the effectiveness and patient satisfaction of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) guided by an intravaginal accelerometer-based system for the treatment of female urinary incontinence (UI). Methods: Premenopausal women with mild-to-moderate stress or mixed UI were recruited to participate in PFMT with an accelerometer-based system for 6 weeks with supervision. Objective outcomes included pelvic floor muscle (PFM) contraction duration, number of contractions in 15 seconds, and angular displacement of the accelerometer relative to earth during PFM contraction. Subjective outcomes and quality-of-life were assessed with validated, condition-specific questionnaires. Results are presented as means, standard error of the mean, and 95% confidence intervals unless otherwise indicated. Results: Twenty-three women (age 42.0 ± 10.7 years, mean ± standard deviation) completed the study. Scores on the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI) decreased from 36.7 ± 4.7 at baseline to 1.45 ± 0.8 at 6 weeks (P