Telehealth as a Viable Treatment for Women with Incontinence

Recent research from the University of California, San Francisco highlights that telehealth can be an effective alternative to in-person physical therapy for women dealing with postpartum urinary incontinence. The study, published in the April 2025 issue of the Journal of Women's & Pelvic Physical Therapy, is the first to directly compare telehealth protocols with traditional face-to-face treatments for this condition.

Urinary incontinence, particularly stress incontinence, often begins after childbirth and can persist or worsen if untreated. It affects a significant number of women — with estimates suggesting that nearly 30% experience incontinence following their first vaginal delivery. Over time, untreated symptoms may become chronic, impacting quality of life.

Physical therapy is a common and effective treatment modality, but logistical barriers such as childcare responsibilities and work commitments make access difficult for many women. To explore alternative methods, researchers enrolled 30 women, averaging 1.5 years postpartum, median age 37, who had delivered two children and were in good health. Participants were randomly assigned to receive pelvic floor therapy either via telehealth or through in-person visits over a four-week period. Their symptoms were monitored during the study and followed up at five weeks and one year post-treatment.

Findings demonstrated that all participants experienced significant improvement in symptoms, with benefits lasting at least a year after treatment. Importantly, outcomes between the telehealth group and the in-person group were comparable, suggesting telehealth is a promising, accessible treatment pathway.

Jennifer Kinder, PT, DPTSc, an expert in women's health at UCSF, emphasized that these findings support the potential for telehealth to provide affordable and effective care to postpartum women, especially those facing barriers to traditional therapy.

This innovative approach could revolutionize care for women with pelvic floor dysfunction, offering a flexible solution that maintains treatment efficacy. As pelvic floor issues are projected to affect millions over the next two decades, integrating telehealth into standard care protocols could improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

For further details, the study can be accessed in the Journal of Women's & Pelvic Physical Therapy, DOI: 10.1097/JWH.0000000000000329. Source: Medical Xpress.