The Rehabilitative Effects of Online Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises on Female Urinary Incontinence Across Various Life Stages: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

AIM: This paper aims to evaluate the effects of online pelvic floor muscle training on urinary incontinence frequency, symptom severity, quality of life and adherence across defined female life stages.

BACKGROUND

Urinary incontinence is a significant public health issue affecting women's physical and mental well-being.

DESIGN

The paper is designed as a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

REVIEW

METHODS

Nine databases were searched for RCTs of online PFMT in women with UI. Outcomes included UI incidence, symptom severity, quality of life and compliance. Data extraction, risk-of-bias (RoB 2) and GRADE assessment were performed. Random-effects meta-analyses used RevMan 5.4.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies were included. Online pelvic floor muscle training significantly reduced postpartum urinary incontinence incidence (RR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.38 to 0.82) and symptom severity (SMD = -0.25; 95% CI: -0.45 to -0.05), but not in elderly patients (SMD = -0.12; 95% CI: -0.25 to 0.02). Exercise compliance improved in both subgroups. No significant difference was found in quality of life. Moderate-to-high heterogeneity was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Online pelvic floor muscle exercise may improve urinary incontinence outcomes across different life stages. In postpartum women, it reduces incontinence incidence, alleviates symptom severity and enhances training compliance, whereas in elderly patients, its benefit is limited to improved compliance.