Exercise-Based Sensorimotor Physiotherapy for Postpartum Pelvic Health and Functional Recovery

NCT07702565 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: KayseriUniversity111
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 160
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study evaluated whether a 12-week exercise-based sensorimotor physiotherapy program could improve pelvic health and functional recovery in postpartum women. Participants were women aged 18-40 years who were between 6 weeks and 6 months after a singleton delivery. They were randomly assigned to either a sensorimotor physiotherapy group or a control group. The physiotherapy group received supervised exercises targeting pelvic floor activation, lumbopelvic motor control, sensory re-education, proprioceptive training, functional stabilization, and biofeedback-assisted training. The control group received standard postpartum education and home advice. The main outcomes were pelvic motor control and perineal sensory function. Other outcomes included pelvic floor muscle strength, urinary symptoms, pelvic distress, core endurance, postural stability, pain intensity, and health-related quality of life. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24. The study aimed to determine whether structured sensorimotor physiotherapy provides greater benefits than standard postpartum advice and whether recovery patterns differ according to vaginal or cesarean delivery.

Conditions

Postpartum Pelvic Floor Dysfunction; Postpartum Urinary Incontinence; Postpartum Functional Recovery; Lumbopelvic Motor Control Impairment; Perineal Sensory Dysfunction

Keywords

Postpartum Exercise; Sensorimotor Physiotherapy; Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation; Lumbopelvic Motor Control; Perineal Sensory Function; Biofeedback; Functional Recovery; Postpartum Urinary Incontinence

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Pelvic Motor Control Composite Score

  Pelvic motor control was assessed using the Pelvic Motor Control Composite Score, an experimental composite index derived from surface electromyography-based parameters including normalized root mean square amplitude, onset latency, relaxation time, and contraction intermittency. Higher scores indicate better lumbopelvic motor control.

  Baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24

• Change in Perineal Sensory Function

  Perineal sensory function was assessed using pressure detection threshold measured with a calibrated handheld algometer and two-point discrimination measured with a precision caliper. Lower values indicate better sensory responsiveness and tactile discrimination.

  Baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Change in Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength

  Baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24

• Change in Urinary Incontinence Severity

  Baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24

• Change in Pelvic Floor Distress

  Baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24

• Change in Pelvic Floor Impact on Daily Function

  Baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24

• Change in Core Endurance

  Baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24

Study Arms (2)

Exercise-Based Sensorimotor Physiotherapy Program

EXPERIMENTAL

A 12-week physiotherapist-led exercise-based sensorimotor physiotherapy program delivered individually twice weekly for approximately 45 minutes per session. The program included pelvic floor activation, diaphragmatic breathing, lumbopelvic motor control training, abdominal-pelvic floor synergy exercises, proprioceptive stimulation, tactile discrimination tasks, sensory re-education, functional stabilization, task-specific training, and surface electromyography-assisted biofeedback. Participants also completed a structured home exercise program for 15-20 minutes per day, five days per week.

Behavioral: Exercise-Based Sensorimotor Physiotherapy Program

Standard Postpartum Education and Home Advice

OTHER

A standard postpartum education and home advice program including information on postpartum anatomy, posture correction, bladder care, and general pelvic floor exercises. Participants received a printed home exercise leaflet and two telephone contacts at weeks 4 and 8 to encourage continuation of general advice. No supervised physiotherapy, individualized exercise progression, biofeedback, or structured sensorimotor training was provided.

Other: Standard Postpartum Education and Home Advice

Interventions

Exercise-Based Sensorimotor Physiotherapy Program BEHAVIORAL

A 12-week physiotherapist-led exercise-based sensorimotor physiotherapy program delivered individually twice weekly for approximately 45 minutes per session. The program included pelvic floor activation, diaphragmatic breathing, lumbopelvic motor control training, abdominal-pelvic floor synergy exercises, proprioceptive training, tactile discrimination tasks, sensory re-education, functional stabilization, task-specific training, and surface electromyography-assisted biofeedback. Participants also completed a structured home exercise program for 15-20 minutes per day, five days per week.

Also known as: Sensorimotor Physiotherapy

Exercise-Based Sensorimotor Physiotherapy Program

Standard Postpartum Education and Home Advice OTHER

A standard postpartum education and home advice program including information on postpartum anatomy, posture correction, bladder care, and general pelvic floor exercises. Participants received a printed home exercise leaflet and two telephone contacts at weeks 4 and 8 to encourage continuation of general advice. No supervised physiotherapy, individualized exercise progression, biofeedback, or structured sensorimotor training was provided.

Also known as: Standard Postpartum Advice

Standard Postpartum Education and Home Advice

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Women aged 18-40 years.
• Postpartum women between 6 weeks and 6 months after delivery.
• Singleton delivery.
• Vaginal delivery or cesarean delivery.
• Ability to understand and perform the required assessment procedures.
• Ability to participate in the exercise-based intervention procedures.
• Provision of written informed consent before enrollment.

You may not qualify if:

• Third- or fourth-degree perineal tears.
• Pelvic organ prolapse stage II or higher according to the POP-Q classification.
• Active urinary tract infection or genital infection.
• Previous pelvic or abdominal surgery unrelated to cesarean delivery.
• Neurological conditions affecting lumbopelvic motor control.
• Musculoskeletal conditions affecting lumbopelvic motor control.
• Chronic pelvic pain syndromes.
• Psychiatric disorders limiting participation.
• Participation in structured physiotherapy or pelvic rehabilitation within the preceding 6 months.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Özge BAYKAN ÇOPUROĞLU: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kayseri University

Kayseri, Kayseri, 38130, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Officials

• Özge Çopuroğlu

  Kayseri University

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcome assessors were blinded to group allocation. Participants were instructed not to disclose their assigned group during follow-up assessments. Blinding of participants and the treating physiotherapist was not feasible because of the supervised exercise-based nature of the intervention.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Asst. Prof.

Model Details: Participants were stratified by delivery mode, vaginal delivery or cesarean delivery, and then randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either the Sensorimotor Physiotherapy Group or the Control Group. The Sensorimotor Physiotherapy Group received a 12-week supervised exercise-based sensorimotor physiotherapy program, while the Control Group received standard postpartum education and home advice.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 9, 2026
• First Posted: July 14, 2026
• Study Start: March 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2025
• Study Completion: March 1, 2026
• Last Updated: July 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)