Digital Tool Aims to Promote Later-Life Bladder Health

Key Takeaways

• KOKU Bladder combines gamified pelvic floor training with evidence-based education.
• Co-designed with 54 users and professionals across UK, Spain, Lithuania.
• Pilot involves 75 participants testing English, Spanish, Lithuanian versions.
• Targets adults 50+, where incontinence affects up to 50% over 80.
• Upcoming experimental study will assess feasibility and user engagement.

Pulse Analysis

The aging of the global population is driving demand for scalable, low‑cost interventions that address chronic conditions often dismissed as inevitable. Urinary incontinence, affecting roughly one‑third of those over 60 and nearly half of octogenarians, carries significant quality‑of‑life and healthcare costs. Traditional care pathways are fragmented, and stigma limits help‑seeking, creating a clear market gap for discreet, evidence‑based tools that empower patients to manage symptoms at home.

KOKU Bladder distinguishes itself by integrating clinically validated pelvic‑floor exercises with behavior‑change frameworks such as goal setting, self‑monitoring and feedback loops, all wrapped in a gamified experience. The co‑design process—engaging 31 potential users, 15 clinicians and eight pelvic‑health experts—ensures the content feels trustworthy and culturally adaptable across English, Spanish and Lithuanian markets. Early pilot data from 75 participants suggest strong engagement, a critical predictor of long‑term adherence in digital therapeutics.

Looking ahead, the upcoming experimental study in Manchester will provide rigorous evidence on feasibility and user experience, positioning KOKU Bladder for potential reimbursement pathways and partnerships with health systems seeking to reduce incontinence‑related admissions. If successful, the platform could catalyze broader adoption of digital pelvic health solutions, encouraging insurers and providers to invest in preventive, technology‑enabled care for the senior demographic.