Training Models in Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Izmir University of Economics

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise; Healthy Adult Women; Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Treatments: Behavioral: Verbal Instruction-Based Pelvic Floor Muscle Training; Behavioral: External Palpation-Aided Pelvic Floor Muscle Training; Behavioral: Visual-Aided Pelvic Floor Muscle Training; Behavioral: Brochure-Based Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07099170

IzmirUEcon-PTR-01

Details and patient eligibility

About

Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is an exercise approach designed to improve the strength, endurance, power, relaxation, or coordination of the pelvic floor muscles. It is recommended as a first-line treatment for urinary incontinence (stress, urge, mixed), pelvic organ prolapse, and fecal incontinence. Evidence also suggests its potential to enhance sexual function in both men and women.

To teach proper pelvic floor contraction, individuals must first learn the anatomical location, structure, and function of these muscles. Various teaching strategies can support motor learning, such as verbal cues (commands or imagery), visual input (anatomical models or illustrations), physical guidance (tactile feedback), and environmental adjustments (comfortable positions, safe space). Yet, the choice of teaching method in clinical practice is currently based only on experience, not evidence.

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of four different PFMT teaching models-brochure-based, verbal instruction-based, visual instruction-based, and external palpation-aided-in teaching correct pelvic floor contraction and improving awareness in healthy adult women. It will be conducted as a four-arm randomized controlled trial. Participants will be evaluated before the training, immediately after, and one week later.

The findings from this study will help identify the most effective and practical approach for teaching PFMT. Although the study is conducted with healthy women without pelvic symptoms, the results will inform better training strategies for individuals with pelvic floor dysfunction, including those with urinary problems, chronic diseases, or pregnancy-related pelvic floor issues. Ultimately, this research seeks to fill a gap in the current literature and contribute to more evidence-based clinical practice.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18 years or older
• Female
• Willingness to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnancy
• History of cesarean or vaginal delivery within the past 6 months
• Previous pelvic floor muscle training
• History of pelvic surgery
• Currently receiving or having received treatment for pelvic organ prolapse

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

60 participants in 4 patient groups

Brochure-Based Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Experimental group

Treatment:

Behavioral: Brochure-Based Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Verbal Instruction-Based Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Experimental group

Treatment:

Behavioral: Verbal Instruction-Based Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Visual-Aided Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Experimental group

Treatment:

Behavioral: Visual-Aided Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

External Palpation-Aided Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Experimental group

Treatment:

Behavioral: External Palpation-Aided Pelvic Floor Muscle Training