Table 1 Summary of the main features and results of the eligible studies
Studies | Country | Sample | SUI diagnosis | Age, mean (SD) | App name | Comparative | App function | Timing of outcome measurement | Reminder frequency | Outcome measurement tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Netherlands | 262 App: 131 Control: 131 | ≥ 2 UI episode/week | 20–86 App: 53.2 ± 12.8 Control: 51.3 ± 10.3 | URinControl | Participants in the usual care group were referred to their own general practitioner to discuss treatment options | Information on UI Instructions of PFMT; Reminder about PFMT Data analysis and feedback | At 4 months, 12 months | Reminder frequency set by yourself | ICIQ-UI SF ICIQ-LUTS QoL PGI-I | |
Wang et al. [33] | China | 108 App: 54 Control: 54 | ≥ 1 SUI episode/month | 23–34 App: 29.2 ± 2 Control: 9.1 ± 2.9 | Pen Yi Kang | A 45-min pelvic floor rehabilitation education (through lectures, discussions, answer to queries.) and one-to-one PFMT practice guidance at baseline and before discharge | Instructions of PFMT; Reminder about PFMT | At 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months postpartum | Regularly audio reminders during the training | ICIQ-UI SF BPMSES |
Araujo et al. [31] | Brazil | 33 App: 17 Control: 16 | Women with self-reported SUI symptoms were included | App: 47.2 ± 10.6 Control: 53.3 ± 13.2 | Diário Saúde | Printed instructions. The static image of muscular contraction presented in the paper was similar to that obtained through a sEMG screen | Visual component of sEMG as a guide for PFMT; An alarm that reminds the used; | At 1 month, 2 months and 3 months | Two reminders/day | ICIQ‐VS QUID ICIQ‐VS QoL Self-reported adherence |
Jia et al. [32] | China | 108 App: 51 Control: 54 | Women with urinary incontinence investigated by ICIQ-SF and diagnosed as SUI through medical history and related examinations | App: 52.68 ± 13.07 Control: 51.68 ± 14.85 | Hospital-Community-Family home care | Receive regular health education in incontinence care clinics, give verbal guidance on the causes, treatment methods, pelvic floor muscle exercise methods, frequency, precautions and importance of SUI, and issue health education prescriptions for PFMT | Information on SUI; Instructions of PFMT; Statistics about your training; Reminder about PFMT | At 6 months | Three reminders/day | ICIQ-UI SF BPMSES |
Asklund et al. [29] | Sweden | 123 App: 62 Control:61 | ≥ 1 SUI episode/week | 27–72 App: 44.8 ± 9.7 Control: 44.7 ± 9.1 | Tät | Postponed treatment and did not receive the app or any material included in the app during the study period | Information on SUI and pelvic floor; lifestyle; Instructions of PFMT; Statistics about your training; Reminder about PFMT | At the 3 months and 2 years | Three reminders/day | ICIQ-UI SF ICIQ-LUTS QoL PGI-I |
Sjöström et al. [27] | Sweden | 250 App: 124 Control: 126 | ≥ 1 SUI episode/week | 18–70 App: 47.9 ± 10.6 Control: 49.4 ± 9.8 | Tät.nu | Postal treatment | Information about SUI; and associated lifestyle factors. Instructions of PFMT; Statistics about your training Urotherapist support | At the 4 months, 1 year and 2 years | Three reminders/day | ICIQ-UI SF ICIQ-LUTS QoL PGI-I EQ5D-VAS |