Effects of Kegel Ball and Pelvic Floor Exercises on Sexual Function, Unrınary Incontinence and Quality of Life in Women

sahra sultan kara

Status: Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Urinary Dysfunction; Vaginal Prolapse; Cystocele and Incomplete Uterovaginal Prolapse; Kegel Exercises; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological; Sexual Function Scores

Treatments: Behavioral: Pelvic Floor Muscle Training; Device: Vaginal Kegel Exercise Ball

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07048145

Approval Number: 2024/14/889

Details and patient eligibility

About

Urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction are common conditions that can significantly impact quality of life. Although surgical and medical treatments are available, many individuals seek non-invasive alternatives.

Pelvic floor muscle training, also known as Kegel exercises, aims to strengthen the pelvic muscles that support the bladder and other pelvic organs. The use of vaginal Kegel balls may enhance the effects of these exercises by promoting increased muscle activation and pelvic awareness.

Preliminary findings suggest that regular pelvic floor muscle training may improve urinary control and enhance sexual function through improved muscle strength and proprioception.

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle exercises and Kegel ball utilization as non-invasive options for improving pelvic health, urinary continence, and sexual well-being.

A total of 40 female participants with pelvic floor muscle weakness, urinary incontinence, and sexual dysfunction will be enrolled. All participants will undergo a physical examination. Muscle strength will be assessed using the Modified Oxford Scale, and prolapse levels, if present, will be determined using the Simplified POP-Q classification. Sociodemographic data will be collected, and participants will complete three face-to-face questionnaires.

The Sandvick Severity Index (SSI) will be used to assess the severity of urinary incontinence. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), a validated questionnaire, will assess incontinence-related quality of life. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), another validated instrument, will be used to assess sexual dysfunction.

Participants will be randomized by drawing from closed envelopes containing 20 cards labeled "0" and 20 labeled "1." Those who draw a "0" will be assigned to the control group and will perform pelvic floor Kegel exercises. Those who draw a "1" will be assigned to the study group, which will perform the same exercises as the control group, along with the use of a vaginal Kegel exercise ball.

All participants will receive a 6-week home-based exercise program targeting both fast-twitch (Type II) and slow-twitch (Type I) pelvic muscle fibers. The program will include fast and slow contractions, with imagery and analogies to improve comprehension. For fast contractions, the "open-close the tap" analogy will be used. For slow contractions, participants will be instructed to "squeeze while counting to five, hold for five, and relax for five," with the visualization of an elevator slowly ascending, stopping, and descending.

Each exercise set will consist of ten rapid and ten slow contractions. Participants will be instructed to perform five sets per day during the first three weeks and increase to ten sets per day in the last three weeks. This equates to a total of 50 rapid and 50 slow contractions daily in the initial phase, increasing to 100 of each by the end of the intervention.

Exercise tracking forms will be provided to allow participants to monitor compliance and document each completed session.

Participants in the study group will be given a pelvic Kegel exercise ball to use. This device is 13.5 cm in total length, with a 3.5 cm ball width, weighs approximately 90 grams, and is made of medical-grade silicone. It contains two inner jiggle balls designed to generate passive vibrations against the vaginal wall during movement, potentially stimulating pelvic muscle activity.

After receiving instruction on safe usage, participants in the study group will wear the Kegel ball for 30 minutes daily during the first three weeks, and for one hour daily during the final three weeks, while engaging in light daily activities such as walking or household movements. They will continue to perform the same exercises as the control group while integrating the device into their routine.

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 75 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• • Women aged 18 or over

  • Suffer from stress urinary incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, urge incontinence or urgency.
  • Being sexually active
  • Experience vaginal laxity and/or decreased sexual sensation for a period of 6 weeks or more.
  • Understand Turkish to be able to self-complete the questionnaires (validated in Turkish ).

Exclusion criteria

• • Not giving informed consent.

  • Has had prior surgery for incontinence, prolapse or vaginal tightening
  • Has had more than 3 urinary tract infections in the past 12 months
  • Is currently taking any medication for incontinence
  • Is pregnant or trying to become pregnant
  • Has given birth less than 6 weeks prior to enrollment
  • Has been diagnosed obese - BMI > 40
  • Has a history of neurological conditions - Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and other
  • Women with faecal incontinence.
  • Women with grade IV prolapse.
  • Women who have perineal pain that makes it impossible to apply the spheres.
  • Not being committed to complying with a minimum of 80% of the treatment.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Kegel Exercises + Vaginal Kegel Ball

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will perform the same pelvic floor muscle training program as the control group, and additionally use a vaginal Kegel exercise ball during daily activities for passive pelvic stimulation.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Kegel Exercises Only

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this group will perform a structured 6-week pelvic floor muscle training program consisting of fast and slow contractions without the use of any device.

Treatment:

Device: Vaginal Kegel Exercise Ball