09 May The eContinence project

The overall aim is to develop, evaluate and implement an mHealth solution for urinary incontinence. The app Tät®, an internet programme and a booklet with focus on pelvic floor exercises have shown effect in women with stress urinary incontinence (leakage of urine associated with coughing, jumping or exercise). The app Tät®II is developed for women with other types of urinary incontinence. Stress urinary incontinence is common in men after radical surgery for prostate cancer. The app Tät®III is intended, for use before and after radical prostatectomy, to support men with pelvic floor exercises in cases where exercises have been recommended by medical staff. Tät.nu (eContinence.se) is a research project at Umeå University with financial funding from Forte, Kampradstiftelsen (The Kamprad Family Foundation), Visare Norr and Region Jämtland Härjedalen.

Facts

• A quarter of all women and one eighth of all men have urinary incontinence (UI).
• Within the project, three apps have been developed. The app Tät®, intended for women with urinary leakage on physical exertion, has been evaluated in several studies and is now available for free at App Store and Google Play in Swedish, English, Arabic, Finnish, German, Norwegian, Danish and Spanish.
• The app Tät® contains the following functions:
  • Information
  • Lifestyle, exercises
  • Pelvic Floor E
  • Graphic support and statistics
  • Reminders
• The Tät®app is the only evidence-based app for urinary incontinence that is evaluated for efficacy. Efficacy was demonstrated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with clinically important improvements regarding symptoms, quality of life and leakage after three months. It was also effective in the long-term and cost-effectiveness was established, see publications at www.econtinence.se
•  More insights:
  • The Tät® app was released for free in 2015 and has been updated regularly since then.
  • Currently, the Tät®app has been used by >140 000 women in more than 100 countries.
  • Compared with the RCT, users are younger, and 41% are pregnant or postnatal.
  • Three thesis and 15 scientific publications result in a well-validated application.
  • The effectiveness of the app has also been shown in real-world (BMJ Open Jan 2021)
• Few words about the Tät® III app:
  • Stress urinary incontinence is very common after radical prostatectomy due to prostate cancer
  • Pelvic floor muscle training is recommended to start before surgery and continue after
  • This app is intended for men undergoing radical prostatectomy
  • The app is freely available in Swedish and English
  • Ongoing study, >3000 men have responded to questionnaires

Interview summary

Research project under Umeå university