Virtual Reality for Urinary Incontinence in Women

Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Pelvic Floor Disorder; Urinary Incontinence

Treatments: Device: Virtual Reality Therapy; Device: Pelvic Floor Muscle Electrostimulation with EMG Biofeedback

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07070063

49/2025

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study evaluates the effectiveness of using virtual reality to support pelvic floor muscle training in women with urinary incontinence. The intervention aims to enhance patients' motivation, awareness, and exercise accuracy through real-time muscle visualization and immersive interaction. The project seeks to determine whether virtual reality-assisted therapy improves clinical outcomes compared to conventional approaches.

Full description

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common condition among women, negatively impacting quality of life, mental health, and social functioning. Although pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is an effective treatment, its success depends on proper technique and patient engagement-both of which are often insufficient due to limited education and challenges in exercise monitoring.

Virtual reality (VR) offers an innovative approach to support rehabilitation by providing real-time biofeedback, enhancing awareness of pelvic floor muscle function, and increasing motivation through immersive, interactive environments. Prior research suggests that VR can improve concentration, reduce therapy-related anxiety, and encourage active participation.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a VR-based system integrated with biofeedback in supporting PFMT for women with UI. Through real-time visualization of pelvic floor activity, the intervention may improve muscle control, exercise adherence, and clinical outcomes.

The project responds to the global trend of using digital tools in rehabilitation and addresses a gap in the literature concerning VR applications in urogynecology. While VR has shown promise in neurological and orthopedic rehabilitation, its potential in UI management remains underexplored. This trial seeks to generate evidence for its effectiveness and practical use in the treatment of urinary incontinence.

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 50 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Women aged 50-80 years, who are at least 12 months post-menopausal,
• Diagnosed with urinary incontinence of grade I or IIa according to the ICS classification,
• No contraindications to participation (e.g., acute urinary tract infections, severe neurological disorders),
• Provision of written informed consent to participate in the research experiment.

Exclusion criteria

• Urinary incontinence of grade III or higher,
• Presence of significant neurological conditions affecting bladder control,
• Participation in other therapeutic interventions that could interfere with study outcomes,
• Pregnancy,
• Refusal or inability to provide informed consent.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

VR Group

Experimental group

Description:

VR-Supported Pelvic Floor Training

Treatment:

Device: Pelvic Floor Muscle Electrostimulation with EMG Biofeedback

Device: Virtual Reality Therapy

Control Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Conventional Pelvic Floor Training

Treatment:

Device: Pelvic Floor Muscle Electrostimulation with EMG Biofeedback