After a stroke, patients can have bladder and bowel dysfunctions, which are often neglected. Physiotherapists and specialists treating physical problems face challenges in addressing both stroke and pelvic floor symptoms. Mobile health applications aid healthcare professionals to target, manage, and monitor complex symptoms efficiently and in a personalised manner. Although many mobile health applications exist, none are specifically designed to meet the needs of physiotherapists and patients with stroke-induced pelvic floor symptoms.

This study aimed to explore the perspectives of physiotherapists and patients—including their needs, expectations, and previous experiences—regarding a mobile application or prototype that supports assessment and treatment processes for stroke and pelvic floor dysfunction.

This qualitative study, conducted from April to June 2024, involved five focus groups with physiotherapists (n=15) and patients (n=10) to iteratively develop a non-functional mock-up. Focus groups, held both online and in person, were recorded. Two moderators per group collected comments on a collaborative board. Data were analysed using systematic inductive content analysis.

Five categories were identified: previous experience with applications; barriers and challenges; expectations and benefits; ideas and feedback on the mock-up, and further potential. These categories reflected participants' needs, expectations, and prior experiences, including continuous access to and supervision of training, sensitive consideration of patient limitations, and discreet handling of potentially sensitive topics. Participants also highlighted reminders, progress visualisation, and structured exercise programmes as valuable features supporting adherence, motivation, and guidance.

From the perspective of the participants the mock-up offered a structured, dual-user approach for both patients and physiotherapists, enabling engagement, assessment, progress tracking, and access to pelvic floor therapy information. Physiotherapists could use it to identify when pelvic floor assessments or additional interventions are indicated in stroke patients.

The results suggest that a tailored mobile application may support the assessment and treatment of bladder and bowel dysfunction after stroke. Addressing the perspectives of both physiotherapists and patients appears essential for its development.