Training Models in Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

NCT ID: NCT07099170

Last Updated: 2025-08-07

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 60 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-08-04
• Study Completion Date: 2025-11-07

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

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

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Brochure-Based Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Brochure-Based Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

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 contractions and imagery techniques. Participants will be given 30 minutes to review the brochure and apply the training independently.

Verbal Instruction-Based Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Verbal Instruction-Based Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

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 ship will be utilized to facilitate imagery. Participants will be asked to focus on their pelvic floor and imagine the contractions, and they will be informed about the potential effects of these contractions during the session.

Visual-Aided Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Visual-Aided Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

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 the session, the pelvic floor will be visually represented using common metaphors such as a hammock, a faucet, an elevator, or a ship, and these visuals will support the use of imagery techniques. Participants will be asked to focus on their pelvic floor and imagine the contractions, and they will be provided with information about the expected effects of the contractions.

External Palpation-Aided Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

External Palpation-Aided Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

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 (ischiocavernosus, bulbospongiosus/bulbocavernosus, or perineum). The therapist observes real-time muscle response, provides feedback, and offers verbal cues. Imagery techniques (e.g., hammock, faucet, elevator, ship) may be used to support motor learning and awareness.

Interventions

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 contractions and imagery techniques. Participants will be given 30 minutes to review the brochure and apply the training independently.

Intervention Type: 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 ship will be utilized to facilitate imagery. Participants will be asked to focus on their pelvic floor and imagine the contractions, and they will be informed about the potential effects of these contractions during the session.

Intervention Type: 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 the session, the pelvic floor will be visually represented using common metaphors such as a hammock, a faucet, an elevator, or a ship, and these visuals will support the use of imagery techniques. Participants will be asked to focus on their pelvic floor and imagine the contractions, and they will be provided with information about the expected effects of the contractions.

Intervention Type: 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 (ischiocavernosus, bulbospongiosus/bulbocavernosus, or perineum). The therapist observes real-time muscle response, provides feedback, and offers verbal cues. Imagery techniques (e.g., hammock, faucet, elevator, ship) may be used to support motor learning and awareness.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

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

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Dokuz Eylul University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Izmir University of Economics

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Ipek Yavas

PT, MSc, Lecturer

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Izmir University of Economics

Izmir, İzmir, Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Central Contacts

Ipek Yavas, MSc, PT, Lecturer

Role: CONTACT

ipekkyavas@gmail.com

+90-555-875-9645

Facility Contacts

Ipek Yavas

Role: primary

ipekkyavas@gmail.com

+90-555-875-9645

Other Identifiers

IzmirUEcon-PTR-01

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id