Research project Tät.nu - development, evaluation and implementation of eHealth for the prevention, self-management and treatment of urinary incontinence in women and men.
The purpose of the project is to develop, evaluate and implement eHealth for the self-management and treatment of urinary incontinence in women and men. One in four women and one in eight men experience urinary leakage. eHealth can increase access to treatment in a cost-effective way. The app Tät®, an internet-based programme, and a brochure have been shown to have both a short-term and long-term effect on stress urinary incontinence in women. The app is now being used globally and is available in several languages free of charge. In on-going studies, we are studying the usage and effect of treatment supported by other apps - developed within the project - targeted at both women and men.
Forte 2014-5140 – 2 580 000 kr
Kamprad Family Foundation for Entrepeneurship, Research, and Charity; the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working, and Welfare 20170702 – 3 900 000 kr
The Swedish Prostate Cancer Foundation 20190221 - 300 000 kr
Urinary incontinence (UI) is a complex and costly public health problem that can significantly affect quality of life. Sweden is one of the world’s most digitally advanced countries.
Evidence-based, first-line treatment of incontinence is comprised of pelvic floor muscle exercises and a change in lifestyle habits, sometimes combined with bladder training. Only around a quarter of those who suffer from incontinence seek medical help.
eHealth can increase access to treatment in a cost-effective way. It is not clear whether eHealth can help to reduce the gaps between different social groups that have higher and lower access to healthcare and health-promoting activities.
The app Tät®, an internet-based programme, and a brochure containing training programmes and advice for women with stress urinary incontinence have been developed within the project. These programmes have shown both short-term and long-term effects and good results in health-economic evaluations. The app Tät®II is a complex, interactive app developed for women with other types of incontinence and the app Tät®III is targeted at men that have had or are due to have an operation due to prostate cancer.
In a randomised controlled trial, research is currently being carried out into the effect of treatment supported by Tät®II compared with an information app. Long-term follow-up of the effects on symptoms and quality of life is in progress. Several studies are under way researching the usage and effect once the programmes are made generally available free of charge.
The app Tät® is now available in six languages and more than 80,000 women have responded to a questionnaire in the app. In an on-going study, we are researching whether the app Tät®III facilitates pelvic floor muscle exercises in conjunction with an operation due to prostate cancer, and how discomfort from incontinence is affected. We aim to take the perspectives of different groups into consideration when developing eHealth solutions. For publications, go to www.tät.nu
