Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Traditional Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation to Pilates in Increasing Pelvic Muscles Strength.

NCT00549458 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: AH Urogynecology
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The objective of this randomized controlled trial is to determine whether a standardized Pilates exercise program can effectively strengthen pelvic floor muscles when compared with conventional pelvic muscle rehabilitation. Urinary incontinence is a widespread problem that affects 10-40% of all ambulatory women and pelvic floor muscle training is an effective treatment for this problem. However, its efficacy is proportionate to the effort expended. Even among women who are diligent with pelvic muscle rehabilitation, long term follow-up reveals that benefits are lost in the absence of maintenance exercises. While this intervention is effective, recent studies demonstrate that long term adherence to treatment is low. As compliance appears to be a prerequisite to achieving sustained benefit, finding a method of pelvic muscle strengthening that better lends itself to long term commitment could prove beneficial. The currently popular exercise program, known as Pilates (named after founder, Joseph Pilates) consists of a series of low impact, flexibility and muscle toning exercises. The philosophy centers around developing core strength which includes strengthening the pelvic floor. Its use has been described in the US since the 1920s.4 Five million Americans currently participate, as opposed to five thousand ten years ago.5 Given its mainstream popularity, Pilates would be an appealing as a therapeutic modality for women experiencing pelvic muscle weakness. Currently, there are no studies that assess the efficacy of Pilates in increasing pelvic muscle strength.

Conditions

Muscle Weakness

Keywords

Week pelvic floor muscle in females

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Increase pelvic floor strength

  Over a 12 week period of time

Interventions

Pilates BEHAVIORAL

The currently popular exercise program, known as Pilates (named after founder, Joseph Pilates) consists of a series of low impact, flexibility and muscle toning exercises. The philosophy centers around developing core strength which includes strengthening the pelvic floor. Its use has been described in the US since the 1920s.4 Five million Americans currently participate, as opposed to five thousand ten years ago.5 Given its mainstream popularity, Pilates would be an appealing as a therapeutic modality for women experiencing pelvic muscle weakness. Currently, there are no studies that assess the efficacy of Pilates in increasing pelvic muscle strength.

Pelvic muscle rehabilitation therapy PROCEDURE

The currently popular exercise program, known as Pilates (named after founder, Joseph Pilates) consists of a series of low impact, flexibility and muscle toning exercises. The philosophy centers around developing core strength which includes strengthening the pelvic floor. Its use has been described in the US since the 1920s.4 Five million Americans currently participate, as opposed to five thousand ten years ago.5 Given its mainstream popularity, Pilates would be an appealing as a therapeutic modality for women experiencing pelvic muscle weakness. Currently, there are no studies that assess the efficacy of Pilates in increasing pelvic muscle strength.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Women 18 yrs or older

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnancy
• No pelvic organ prolapse beyond the hymenal ring.
• Age or medical condition that make it difficult for patient to tolerate exam or follow verbal instructions.
• Pacemakers
• IUDs
• Vaginal infections or urinary tract infections
• Medical or physical conditions which exclude the proper performance of Pilates.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Atlantic Health System: lead

Study Sites (1)

Office of Urogynecolgy 95 Madison Avenue Suite 204

Morristown, New Jersey, 07960, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Muscle Weakness

Interventions

Exercise Movement Techniques

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Physical Therapy Modalities; Therapeutics

Study Officials

• Patrick Culligan, MD

  Atlantic Health Urogynecology

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 24, 2007
• First Posted: October 25, 2007
• Study Start: April 1, 2006
• Primary Completion: March 1, 2008
• Study Completion: March 1, 2009
• Last Updated: September 18, 2009

Record last verified: 2009-09

Locations

US (1)