Telerehabilitation in the management of urinary incontinence in women: a narrative review

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent condition affecting millions worldwide, particularly women, with significant impacts on physical, psychological, and socioeconomic aspects of life (Haylen et al., Neurourol Urodyn 29:4–20, 2010; Aoki et al., Nat Rev Dis Primers 3:1–20, 2017). Conventional management includes behavioral therapy, pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), and pharmacological interventions, but barriers such as social stigma, access to specialists, and poor treatment adherence persist (Nitti Rev Urol 3, 2001; Sinclair et al., Obstet Gynaecol 13:143-8, 2011; Minassian et al., 111:324-31, 2008; Milsom et al., Eur Urol 65:79-95, 2014). Telerehabilitation—defined as the delivery of rehabilitation services via electronic information and communication technologies (e.g., video conferencing and phone calls for improved access; mobile apps, websites, and virtual reality (VR) for enhanced engagement and self-management)—offers a potentially promising alternative to overcome these obstacles (Buckingham et al., JMIRx Med 3:e30516, 2022). This narrative review synthesizes evidence from studies conducted between January 2000 and November 6, 2025 on telerehabilitation’s role in UI management in women, focusing on stress UI, PFMT efficacy, and comparative outcomes with in-person therapy. It addresses gaps in prior systematic reviews by focusing on patient-centered designs and cultural adaptations. Key findings from 25 included studies indicate that telerehabilitation is feasible, effective in reducing UI symptoms, improving quality of life (QoL), and enhancing adherence, particularly through mobile apps and group-based interventions (Asklund et al., Neurourol Urodyn 36:1369-76, 2017; Sjostrom et al., BJU Int 112:362-72, 2013; Hoffman et al., Gynecol Scand 96:1180-7, 2017). However, limitations include heterogeneity in interventions, small sample sizes in many studies, lack of long-term data, absence of male participants, limited validation in rural or cognitively impaired populations, and insufficient cultural adaptations for diverse groups. Recommendations include developing tailored telerehabilitation programs incorporating biofeedback and interdisciplinary approaches to address UI holistically. This review highlights telerehabilitation’s potential as a scalable, cost-effective intervention, particularly post-COVID-19, and calls for further research in diverse female populations.