Pelvic Floor Exercises for Pelvic Floor Disorders

Overseen By Anne Mongiu, MD, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Yale University

Disqualifiers: Web access, Non-English speaking, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

Duration: 8 weeks

20 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores the effectiveness of remote, video-based pelvic floor muscle therapy for individuals with pelvic floor disorders. These disorders include pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and anorectal dysfunction, which can be uncomfortable and disruptive. Participants will engage in an 8-week exercise program via video, receiving assistance from a therapist at the beginning and end. This program suits those diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction who can easily access online videos. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance future treatments.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that video-based pelvic floor muscle therapy is safe for patients with pelvic floor disorders?

Research shows that pelvic floor muscle therapy (PFMT), including video-based methods, is generally safe for people with pelvic floor issues. Studies have found that PFMT can help with problems like pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence.

While specific data on this video-based method is still being collected, the therapy has been used safely and effectively in different forms. Similar studies have reported no major side effects, suggesting that video-based PFMT is likely well-tolerated by most people.

For those considering joining this trial, it is reassuring that PFMT is a proven method with a strong safety record in other research. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about video-based pelvic floor muscle therapy (PFMT) for pelvic floor disorders because it offers a new way to deliver treatment conveniently and effectively. Unlike traditional methods that often require regular in-person sessions with a therapist, this approach allows patients to follow a guided exercise routine through videos at home. This not only makes the therapy more accessible and flexible for many individuals but also reduces the need for frequent clinic visits, potentially improving adherence and outcomes over time. By incorporating an easy-to-access digital format, this therapy could significantly enhance patient engagement and success in managing pelvic floor disorders.

What evidence suggests that video-based pelvic floor muscle therapy is effective for pelvic floor disorders?

Studies have shown that pelvic floor muscle exercises can help with pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and bowel control issues. Research indicates that these exercises often improve quality of life and relieve symptoms. This trial tests a video-based method for delivering these exercises, which have already proven effective when done correctly. The video format aims to make the program more accessible and easier to follow. Early reports suggest this new delivery method could be promising and effective. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with pelvic floor disorders such as organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and anorectal dysfunction. Participants should be comfortable using a website for video-based therapy sessions.

Inclusion Criteria

English-speaking

I have been diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction and referred for pelvic floor rehabilitation.

Exclusion Criteria

Unable to access web-based videos

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Initial Assessment

Participants complete a 5-10-minute survey and have an in-person session with a pelvic floor therapist

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants undergo 8 weeks of video-based pelvic floor muscle therapy with an initial and final in-person session

8 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants complete a final set of surveys and are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Video-Based Pelvic Floor Muscle Therapy

Trial Overview The study tests the effectiveness of a remote, video-based pelvic floor muscle therapy (PFMT) program to improve symptoms related to various pelvic floor disorders.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Video-based pelvic floor muscle therapy (PFMT) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patients will complete a series of surveys before and after the intervention. They will complete 8 weeks of video-based PFMT with an initial and final in-person session with a pelvic floor therapist.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Yale University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,963

Recruited

3,046,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Pelvic muscle exercises have been used for 50 years to manage pelvic floor dysfunction, particularly after childbirth, and their applications have expanded over time.

The article reviews various techniques for these exercises, including biofeedback and electrical stimulation, and highlights their effectiveness in treating stress and urge urinary incontinence.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nonsurgical management of pelvic floor dysfunction. Visco, AG., Figuers, C.[2019]

Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is an effective first-line treatment for urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, yet awareness among healthcare professionals is limited, as shown in a study of 44 staff members.

Only 53% of healthcare professionals felt confident in performing pelvic-floor assessments, and many were unaware of standardized assessment methods, indicating a need for improved education and resources to better support patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Staff awareness of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) in tertiary care - a qualitative cross-sectional study. Soundararajan, K., Dilruksha Chandrasiri, M., Balchandra, P.[2022]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12551819/

Video-based pelvic floor muscle therapy for patients with ... This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an online video-based PFMT program, a novel delivery model for a proven first- ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06689891

NCT06689891 | Video-Based Pelvic Floor Muscle Therapy This study is a feasibility, pilot trial of remote, video-based pelvic floor muscle therapy (PFMT) for patients with pelvic floor disorders, including pelvic ...

3. journals.plos.org journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0329883

Video-based pelvic floor muscle therapy for patients with ... Patient-reported outcome measures, including quality of life and symptom changes, will be collected pre-, mid-, and post-intervention. As this is a pilot trial, ...

4. medrxiv.org medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.01.25332599.full

Video-Based Pelvic Floor Muscle Therapy for Adult ... Pelvic floor disorders, which include pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and anorectal dysfunction, affect up to 25-32% of women ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1836955325001092

Supervised exercise and pelvic floor muscle training eases ... Adding supervised group and independent individual exercise including PFMT to pain management did not improve worst pelvic/genital pain but improved current ...

6. advances.massgeneral.org advances.massgeneral.org/urology/journal.aspx?id=2234

Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Device Provides Faster, Better ... This randomized, controlled trial involved 143 women who used a motion-based digital device to guide pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and ...