Barriers and Facilitators Associated With App-Based Treatment for Female Urinary Incontinence: Mixed Methods...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Urology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• App-based treatments offer a cost-effective alternative for managing urinary incontinence.
• Successful implementation of these digital health solutions requires understanding user-specific barriers and facilitators.
• Previous research established the non-inferiority of app-based treatment compared to usual care for urinary incontinence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore factors influencing the effectiveness of app-based urinary incontinence treatment.
• To identify specific barriers and facilitators associated with treatment success or failure.
• To understand the relationship between user experience and treatment outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was employed, integrating a randomized controlled trial with qualitative interviews.
• Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with participants categorized by treatment success or failure.
• Qualitative data were analyzed to compare experiences and identify themes influencing treatment efficacy.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged: adherence, personal factors, app factors, and awareness.
• Adherence directly impacted treatment outcomes, influenced by the other three themes.
• Identified barriers included unrealistic expectations and personal circumstances; facilitators included prior therapy and exercise integration.

Conclusions:

• Treatment adherence is the primary driver of effectiveness for app-based urinary incontinence interventions.
• Personal, app-related, and awareness factors all influence adherence, acting as potential barriers or facilitators.
• Understanding these factors can optimize app implementation and improve treatment outcomes for urinary incontinence.