RCT on Multimodal Self-treatment for Women With Incontinence Using a Digital Health Application

The intervention in this study involves a digital therapy program delivered via a smartphone or tablet application. This program includes several components aimed at addressing different aspects of incontinence management:

Voiding Diary: Participants will be instructed to maintain a diary to track their urinary habits, including frequency of voiding, episodes of incontinence, and fluid intake.

Pelvic Floor Exercises and Physiotherapy: The digital therapy program will provide guidance on performing pelvic floor exercises and other physiotherapeutic interventions aimed at strengthening pelvic floor muscles and improving bladder control.

Bladder Training and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Participants will receive instructions on bladder training techniques and cognitive behavioral strategies to manage urgency and frequency of urination.

Mental Exercises: The program will include mental exercises such as mindfulness techniques, progressive muscle relaxation, and stimulus control methods to help participants manage stress, anxiety, and other psychological factors contributing to incontinence.

Acute Urgency Management: Strategies for managing acute episodes of urgency and urge incontinence will be provided, including techniques to delay voiding and control bladder spasms.

Educational and Nutritional Guidance: Participants will have access to educational materials and nutritional guidance aimed at optimizing bladder health and overall well-being.

Progress Tracking and Motivation: The application will feature tools for tracking progress, setting goals, and providing motivational feedback to encourage adherence to the intervention.

Overall, the digital therapy program is designed to provide comprehensive support for women with incontinence symptoms, addressing both physical and psychological aspects of the condition to improve symptom severity, quality of life, and patient activation.

Inclusion criteria

• Women aged 18 years or older.
• Diagnosis of urinary incontinence, including stress incontinence, urge incontinence, or mixed incontinence.
• Mastery of the German language.
• Access to the internet.
• Access to a tablet or smartphone (Android not older than version 7 and iPhone not older than iPhone 9).
• Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Acute cystitis (N30.0)
• Bladder stones (N21.0)
• Recurrent, uncontrollable macrohematuria (R31)
• Newly diagnosed bladder carcinoma < 3 months (C67)
• Relative Exclusion Criteria not coded according to ICD-10:
• Inability to physically participate in the therapy program
• Active pregnancy
• Bladder botulinum toxin treatment within the last 6 months
• Study-specific methodological exclusion criteria:
• Patients unable to understand and independently sign the consent form
• Initiation of new medication or physical therapy for urinary symptoms within the last 4 weeks
• Severe psychiatric disorders hindering app usage
• Neurological disorders affecting the urinary tract
• Incontinence or tumor surgeries in the pelvic area
• Severe obesity (BMI >35)
• Recurrent urinary tract infections (at least 2 within 6 months or 3 within a year)