Australian medtech and eHealth company Analytica (ASX: ALT), developers of PeriCoach, have had their medical device data validated by leading researchers in the United States as parity to in-clinic consultations, a boon for female sufferers of urinary incontinence located in remote regions.

Analytics’s data was backed up by independent trials conducted at the University of New Mexico by Dr Lauren de Winter, and published in the Journal of Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery.

“This work by Dr de Winter confirms my own clinical experience in regional Queensland and the real-world data we’ve collected from thousands of women. Whilst the gold standard is in-person consultations, for those women who are too remote, can’t afford multiple visits, or are just too time poor, the PeriCoach offers treatment that’s now proven to be on-par with specialised clinician treatment in most instances,” said Analytica Chairman, Dr Michael Mansour.

Stress urinary incontinence affects 1 in 3 women worldwide and is most commonly caused by trauma in the pelvic floor muscles as a result of pregnancy, childbirth and menopause.

For women seeking non-surgical treatments, supervised pelvic floor physiotherapy (PFPT) is the recommended therapy however this can be particularly difficult for women located in remote regions.

Using Analytica’s PeriCoach device, women are able to measure muscle strength, measure comprehensive data and relay it back to medical professionals that can track their progress and make amendments to the therapy program without in-clinic visits.

Through her study from 48-participants, Dr de Winter concluded that PeriCoach is non-inferior to standard of care supervised therapy, validating the device for those who cannot afford or cannot access PFPT.

“Doctors and physiotherapists can teach a woman to do their pelvic floor exercises in clinic, but most women forget the technique when they return home. And what about the women we never see? A weak pelvic floor can lead to surgery in later years and PeriCoach can help avoid that need,” said Dr Mansour.

“This is a massive, hidden public health concern and this study shows that it could be addressed effectively without overburdening health systems.

PeriCoach comprises a device, web portal and smartphone app. The device evaluates activity in pelvic floor muscles where strengthening of the muscles can also potentially improve sexual sensation or satisfaction and orgasm potential in some women, according to the Company.

PeriCoach already has regulatory clearance in Australia, CE Mark in Europe and FDA 510(k) clearance for the United States.