Clinical Research Directory

A 4-Week Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Program in Female Medical Students: Knowledge and Ultrasound Assessment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a four-week pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training program using different activation strategies on pelvic floor muscle function in healthy women. An additional objective was to assess participants' knowledge of pelvic floor muscle anatomy, function, and voluntary activation. Healthy female medical students were assigned to one of three training groups: a breathing exercise group, an isolated pelvic floor muscle contraction group, or a combined pelvic floor muscle contraction with breathing group. The training program lasted four weeks. Pelvic floor muscle function was assessed before and after the intervention using transabdominal ultrasound imaging. Prior to the intervention, participants completed an author-developed questionnaire assessing their knowledge of pelvic floor muscles.

Pelvic Floor Training Combined With Perineal Massage Reduces Episiotomy to 5.7%

Episiotomy, a surgical incision of the perineum performed during the second stage of labor, was once widely advocated for the prevention of severe perineal lacerations. However, a growing body of evidence has demonstrated that routine episiotomy is not without consequence: it is associated with increased rates of posterior perineal trauma, dyspareunia, perineal pain, and postpartum hemorrhage. In alignment with this evidence, the World Health Organization now recommends against routine or liberal episiotomy use and endorses a restrictive approach, targeting episiotomy rates below 10%. Despite these recommendations, episiotomy rates remain high in many settings, particularly among nulliparous womenDespite the individual promise of these modalities, few studies have evaluated their combined effects on episiotomy and other perineal outcomes. The different mechanisms through which PFMT, perineal massage, and Swiss ball exercises operate suggest that their concurrent use may yield additive or synergistic benefits. Nevertheless, comparative data examining PFMT alone versus PFMT combined with Swiss ball or perineal massage remain scarce.

Psychosocial Skills Group for Pelvic Floor Symptoms

There is a critical need for evidence-based programs that address the educational needs and psychosocial impact of childbirth-related pelvic floor injuries and conditions in an accessible format. The purpose of this pilot study is to develop, implement, and evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a manualized 6-session psychosocial skills and education group for individuals with birth-related pelvic floor injuries and conditions. This group-based approach integrates psychoeducation, pain science, cognitive-behavioral techniques, acceptance-based and mindfulness skills to enhance quality of life and coping skills for those managing these conditions. This research study will test whether a virtual education and psychosocial skills group can provide valuable resources and skill-building for people living with these conditions. The findings from this pilot study will help us understand whether this type of program is feasible, acceptable, and potentially beneficial, and will inform refinement of the group protocol and study procedures in preparation for a future randomized controlled trial.

The Effect of Training Based on the Transtheoretical Model on Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength

The study was designed to evaluate the effect of training based on the transtheoretical model on pelvic floor muscle strength in women. The study was designed as a randomized controlled single-blind experimental study with pre-test and post-test measurements and will be conducted with sexually active women aged 18 and over who meet the inclusion criteria and who applied to the Sevgi Family Health Center No. 13 in Gaziemir District, Izmir Province.