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Novel Telerehabilitation Interventions for Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled
Noah Martin1, Krithika Venkataramadas2, Ashmita Singh2
1Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta; Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Objective:
To evaluate the effectiveness of telerehabilitation-delivered pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) for women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), focusing on clinical outcomes, adherence, satisfaction, and health care accessibility.
Data Sources:
A systematic search was conducted across 4 electronic databases: Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, and MEDLINE, in June 2024 and updated in May 2026.
Study Selection:
Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining PFMT delivered via virtual platforms (eg, mobile applications, video conferencing, or internet-based programs) for women (≥18y) with SUI. A total of 13 RCTs met all inclusion criteria.
Data Extraction:
Two independent reviewers extracted data regarding study characteristics, clinical outcomes, and implementation metrics (adherence and satisfaction). Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool.
Data Synthesis:
Because of substantial methodological and clinical heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively using the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis reporting guidelines. Digital interventions consistently produced significant subjective reductions in SUI symptoms and improvements in condition-specific quality of life. Telerehabilitation often demonstrated superior clinical outcomes and higher adherence than passive management or no-treatment controls. When compared with active conventional care, such as face-to-face physiotherapy or paper booklets, digital tools generally showed comparable rather than superior efficacy. Adherence was a primary mechanism for success, although technological complexity was a barrier in some protocols. Interventions were safe, with no serious adverse events reported.
Conclusions:
Telerehabilitation-delivered PFMT has potential as a safe, feasible, and effective modality for managing SUI. It offers a robust, scalable alternative to traditional care, particularly by improving accessibility for women facing geographic or logistical barriers.
