Effectiveness of Abdomino-pelvic Muscle Contraction Education Programme in Healthy Male University Students

NCT06786182 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2024-442
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 29
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This research study investigates the effectiveness of an educational intervention aimed at improving awareness and control of pelvic floor (PF) and abdominal muscle contractions in healthy young male university students. Using ultrasound imaging, the study measures abdominal wall muscle thickness at rest and during pelvic floor contraction, Active Straight Leg Raise (ASLR) test, and hollowing maneuvers in a randomized control trial.

Conditions

Pelvic Floor; Abdominal Muscles; Abdominal Muscles/ultrasonography

Keywords

Pelvic Floor Health; Male Pelvic Floor Education; Ultrasound Imaging; Pelvic Floor Muscle Training; Physiotherapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Thickness of the Transverse Abdominal Muscle (TrA)

  Assessed at rest, during Pelvic floor (PF) contraction and during Active Straight Leg Raise (ASRL) via ultrasound,in centimetres

  Measured at baseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 4-week intervention period (post-intervention).

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Thickness of the External (OE) and Internal Oblique (OI) Muscles

  Measured at baseline (pre-intervention) and at the end of the 4-week intervention period (post-intervention).

Study Arms (2)

EDUCATION

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive an educational program focused on improving awareness and activation of the pelvic floor muscles and abdominal muscle synergy through telematic resources.

Behavioral: PFM Educational Program

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this group receive no educational intervention and participate only in baseline and follow-up assessments of abdominal and PFM activation.

Interventions

PFM Educational Program BEHAVIORAL

A structured telematic educational program covering PFM anatomy, function, and proper activation techniques. Content includes videos, visual guides, and exercises aimed at promoting PFM co-contraction and awareness.

EDUCATION

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Men aged 18-30 years
• Healthy men
• Informed consent submitted, accepted and signed

You may not qualify if:

• Patients undergoing abdominal cavity surgery
• Patients with cognitive/proprioceptive impairments
• Patients who have had physiotherapy interventions of PFM
• Patients with low scores on the Spanish-validated SHIM sexual health questionnaire for males.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• European University of Madrid: lead

Study Sites (1)

Angel Gonzalez de la Flor

Madrid, Madrid, 28029, Spain

Location

Related Publications (4)

• Sapsford RR, Hodges PW, Richardson CA, Cooper DH, Markwell SJ, Jull GA. Co-activation of the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles during voluntary exercises. Neurourol Urodyn. 2001;20(1):31-42. doi: 10.1002/1520-6777(2001)20:13.0.co;2-p.

  PMID: 11135380 BACKGROUND

• Notenboom-Nas FJM, Knol-de Vries GE, Beijer L, Tolsma Y, Slieker-Ten Hove MCP, Dekker JH, van Koeveringe GA, Blanker MH. Exploring pelvic floor muscle function in men with and without pelvic floor symptoms: A population-based study. Neurourol Urodyn. 2022 Nov;41(8):1739-1748. doi: 10.1002/nau.24996. Epub 2022 Jul 25.

  PMID: 35876473 BACKGROUND

• Tuckett AG, Hodgkinson B, Hegney DG, Paterson J, Kralik D. Effectiveness of educational interventions to raise men's awareness of bladder and bowel health. Int J Evid Based Healthc. 2011 Jun;9(2):81-96. doi: 10.1111/j.1744-1609.2011.00208.x.

  PMID: 21599840 BACKGROUND

• Richter LA, Gutman RE, Tefera E, Estep A, Iglesia CB. Knowledge of erectile dysfunction and pelvic floor disorders among young adults: a cross-sectional study. Can J Urol. 2015 Apr;22(2):7715-9.

  PMID: 25891335 BACKGROUND

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Blinding will apply to the study evaluators. The evaluators will have no knowledge about the assignment of the participants, which ensures that the evaluation of the results is unbiased and not influenced by the group to which they belong.
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Clinical Professor

Model Details: This study uses a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design with a parallel-group model. Participants are allocated to either a control group or an intervention group using a 1:1 ratio. The intervention group receives a structured educational program delivered via telematic resources, covering topics such as pelvic floor muscle (PFM) anatomy, function, and proper muscle activation techniques. The control group does not receive this educational intervention. Both groups undergo baseline and post-intervention ultrasound assessments to measure abdominal and PFM activation during various maneuvers, including resting, PFM contraction, the Active Straight Leg Raise (ASLR) test, and the hollowing maneuver. This model aims to evaluate the impact of the educational intervention on muscle co-contraction and activation patterns.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 26, 2024
• First Posted: January 22, 2025
• Study Start: November 15, 2024
• Primary Completion: December 30, 2024
• Study Completion: January 15, 2025
• Last Updated: January 22, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ES (1)