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Pelvic floor muscle training in telerehabilitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Purpose

This systematic review aims to identify, critically appraise, and summarize current evidence regarding the feasibility and efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training in telerehabilitation.

Methods

Three bibliographic databases, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were searched from inception to October 1, 2023. Clinical trials assessing the feasibility and efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training in telerehabilitation were eligible for inclusion. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale and National Institutes of Health Study Quality Assessment Tool were used for methodological quality assessment. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were completed by two independent reviewers. Meta-analyses were performed to determine the effects of pelvic floor muscle training in telerehabilitation.

Results

Five randomized controlled trials and three single cohort clinical trials were included in this review. Four studies were evaluated as good quality, and four as fair. Pelvic floor telerehabilitation was well tolerated and demonstrated good patient compliance and satisfaction. Pooled analysis indicated significant effects of pelvic floor telerehabilitation on the severity of urinary incontinence with a large effect size, pelvic floor muscle strength with a large effect size, and quality of life with a medium effect size.

Conclusion

This systematic review demonstrates that pelvic floor muscle training in telerehabilitation is a feasible and effective approach and highlights its efficacy in patients with urinary incontinence. This review supports the application of pelvic floor muscle training in telerehabilitation and informs further clinical and research endeavors to incorporate digital health technologies in managing pelvic floor dysfunction.

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Funding

Funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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Author notes

  1. Jie Hao and Zixuan Yao contributed equally to this paper.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Allied Health Professions, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA

    Jie Hao, Biying Huang & Yanfei Li

  2. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Institution of Geriatric Medicine, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, 100051, People’s Republic of China

    Zixuan Yao

  3. Health Research Association of Keck Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA

    Andréas Remis

  4. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100035, People’s Republic of China

    Xin Yu

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  1. Jie Hao
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Jie Hao, Zixuan Yao, Andréas Remis, Biying Huang, Yanfei Li, and Xin Yu. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Jie Hao and Zixuan Yao and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Jie Hao or Zixuan Yao.

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Hao, J., Yao, Z., Remis, A. et al. Pelvic floor muscle training in telerehabilitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet 309, 1753–1764 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-024-07380-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-024-07380-x

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