Training Models in Pelvic Floor Muscle Training
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Brochure-Based Pelvic Floor Muscle Training, Verbal Instruction-Based Pelvic Floor Muscle Training, Visual-Aided Pelvic Floor Muscle Training, External Palpation-Aided Pelvic Floor Muscle Training.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise, Healthy Adult Women, Pelvic Floor Muscle Training. Basic parameters: from 18 years · Female.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Turkey (Türkiye)
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Comparison of Training Models in Pelvic Floor Muscle Training in Healthy Adult Women
Overview
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.
Interventions
- Behavioral Brochure-Based Pelvic Floor Muscle Training
Brochure-based pelvic floor muscle training will be conducted by providing participants with a brochure containing information about the anatomy, functions, and importance of the pelvic floor, as well as instructions on how to contract the pelvic floor muscles. All educational content will be delivered solely through the brochure, and no additional verbal or written information will be provided to the participants. The brochure will include detailed explanations of pelvic floor muscle contractio - Behavioral Verbal Instruction-Based Pelvic Floor Muscle Training
Verbal instruction-based pelvic floor muscle training involves providing participants with information about the anatomy, functions, and importance of the pelvic floor, as well as instruction on how to correctly contract the pelvic floor muscles. All explanations will be delivered verbally, and no additional equipment or visual aids will be used. During the training, imagery techniques based on verbal cues will be employed. Commonly used metaphors such as a hammock, a faucet, an elevator, or a s - Behavioral Visual-Aided Pelvic Floor Muscle Training
Visual-aided pelvic floor muscle training includes providing participants with information about the anatomy, functions, and importance of the pelvic floor, as well as training on how to properly contract the pelvic floor muscles. The training will be conducted using anatomical models, visual materials, and videos. Following the explanation of pelvic floor anatomy with models and visual aids, the function and importance of the pelvic floor will be presented through video demonstrations. During t - Behavioral External Palpation-Aided Pelvic Floor Muscle Training
External Palpation-Aided Pelvic Floor Muscle Training This training involves educating participants on the pelvic floor's anatomy, function, and importance, along with instructions on proper muscle contraction. After an educational session using anatomical models, visuals, and videos, external palpation is used to guide correct muscle activation. In a hook-lying position and fully clothed, participants receive light, transverse pressure from a physiotherapist on key pelvic floor muscles (ischioc
Primary outcome measures
- Mean Bladder Base Displacement During Pelvic Floor Muscle Contraction [Time frame: Baseline (pre-training), immediately after training (within 1 hours of completion of training), and follow-up (7 days after training)]
- Presence or Absence of Voluntary Pelvic Floor Muscle Contraction Assessed by Palpation [Time frame: Baseline (pre-training), immediately after training (within 1 hours of completion of training), and follow-up (7 days after training)]
Secondary outcome measures (2)
- Semi-Structured Form for Pelvic Floor Awareness [Time frame: Baseline (pre-training), immediately after training (within 1 hours of completion of training), and follow-up (7 days after training)]
- Participant Satisfaction [Time frame: Immediately after training (within 1 hours of completion of training)]
Eligibility criteria
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
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Single blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 center
- Izmir University of Economics — Izmir
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07099170 · IzmirUEcon-PTR-01