Clinical Research Directory

Reducing Disparities in Urinary Control Symptoms for Minority Women

The study is designed to address the disparity in available conservative/behavioral treatments for UI/LUTS. The program was developed by experts from urogynecology, psychology, and physical therapy then modified based on focus group feedback from racially minoritized women. The study team created a patient-centered, culturally adapted, self-directed, 8-week, home-based module for women with LUTS/UI. The SUPPORT program combines multiple evidence-based conservative treatments for LUTS/UI including cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral modifications, and home physical therapy exercise. Progression through the home-based program is supported by research staff. This prospective interventional study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the SUPPORT program and its impact on patient-centered treatment outcomes, while enabling comparisons across race and ethnicity. This approach will provide a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively deliver self-management strategies for pelvic floor disorders. At the start of the 8 week SUPPORT course participants will also be given access to a custom programmed GPT trained on the SUPPORT workbook and given instructions on empathetic communication techniques and assisting patients in performing the SUPPORT exercises as outlined in the program. At the end of 8 weeks patients will fill out a survey assessing the frequency of use and interactions with the LLM.

Bruxism and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Young Women

Bruxism and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Young Women

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.

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 organ prolapse, urinary incontinence and anorectal dysfunction. PFMT has been shown to improve these symptoms in multiple studies.

Postpartum Education Via Artificial Intelligence for Recovery and Loneliness: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a postpartum chatbot powered by generative artificial intelligence (genAI) can help new mothers get better pelvic floor health information and feel less lonely after childbirth. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * Does using the chatbot improve postpartum pelvic floor health knowledge? * Does using the chatbot help reduce feelings of loneliness during the postpartum period? * Does using the chatbot impact pelvic floor symptoms? Researchers will compare standard postpartum care to standard care plus the chatbot. Participants will: Be assigned by chance (like flipping a coin) to standard postpartum care with or without access to the chatbot. If in the chatbot group, participants will receive education and support via the chatbot over a 4-week period. Both groups will complete questionnaires to measure their pelvic floor knowledge, pelvic floor symptoms, feelings of loneliness, depression, infant bonding, perceived social support, adverse childhood experiences, and peri-traumatic distress. The chatbot was created by urogynecology experts in collaboration with UC San Diego computer science and biomedical informatics researchers. The chatbot is designed to give new mothers personalized, evidence-based information and support in real time.

Virtual Reality for Urinary Incontinence in Women

This study evaluates the effectiveness of using virtual reality to support pelvic floor muscle training in women with urinary incontinence. The intervention aims to enhance patients' motivation, awareness, and exercise accuracy through real-time muscle visualization and immersive interaction. The project seeks to determine whether virtual reality-assisted therapy improves clinical outcomes compared to conventional approaches.

Transperineal Ultrasound as a Biofeedback Tool for Pelvic Floor Muscle Therapy in Postpartum Patients

Regular and effective pelvic floor muscle exercises after vaginal birth are crucial in reducing the risk of pelvic floor disorders in women. Pelvic floor muscle exercises are generally encouraged by healthcare providers to their patients after birth. However, it is often difficult to confirm whether a patient is performing pelvic floor muscle contractions correctly. A supervised pelvic floor physiotherapy session allows a professional to assess the pelvic floor and give their verbal feedback to patients. However even in this setting, patient's are reliant on the physiotherapist and have no way to assess their own performance. The 'biofeedback approach' allows for the clinician and patient to visually assess and modify their performance and can potentially allow for more effective therapy and better engagement. Transperineal ultrasonography is a widely available, safe and non-invasive biofeedback tool that can used at the bedside in order to assess pelvic floor muscle contractions. Our aim is to assess if using transperineal ultrasound can enhance the ability of postpartum patients to perform effective pelvic floor muscle therapy.

Late Side-effects After Cervical Cancer Treatment - Prevention and Treatment

Late side-effects following gynecological cancer are predominantly symptoms from the pelvic region originating from the bowels, urinary tract, lymphatic system, genitals and musculoskeletal system. Pelvic floor dysfunctions such as urinary- and anal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, vaginal stenosis as well as compromised sexual function and dyspareunia appear to be highly prevalent. The incidence of gynecological cancer in Norway was 1700 in 2020 and the survival rate in Norway is among the highest in the world. Most women with cervical cancers are treated with curative intension and life expectancy at 5 years after diagnosis is \>80%. A negative impact of pelvic floor disorders on psychosocial well-being and quality of life are seen in survivors of gynecological cancer, and in cancer survivors this is found to be directly linked with patients regaining continence. Pelvic floor muscle training has few or no side effects, and is acknowledged as first line treatment for all types of urinary incontinence in women. Even though less studied, there is evidence to support pelvic floor muscle training as a safe intervention to reduce symptoms of anal incontinence and improve sexual function. A recent comparative cross-sectional study found that survivors of gynecological cancer with dyspareunia had higher stiffness and lower flexibility, coordination and endurance of the pelvic floor muscles compared to women with a history of total hysterectomy but no pelvic pain. These findings suggest a possible role for pelvic floor muscle training in the prevention and treatment of pelvic floor disorders after gynecological cancer. However, the overall quality of evidence for strengthening the pelvic floor muscles to reduce symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunctions after treatment of gynecological cancer is low. This study aims to assess the feasibility of a digital pelvic floor rehabilitation programme led by an experienced pelvic floor physiotherapist. Study subjects are women treated for cervical cancer within the past 5 years, and all included participants will receive the intervention due to the feasibility design. Participants will be assessed clinically at baseline and endpoint, partly to ensure proper pelvic floor muscle contraction. The digital intervention ensures residents in rural areas equal access to specialized pelvic floor rehabilitation.

Differential Rehabilitative Treatment for Pelvic Floor in Sportswoman

In this study at least 24 sportswoman (18-50 years old) will be recruited a randomized in two groups which will be differently treated for the following 8 weeks. one group will be treated with Kegel approach and the other one with De Gasquet apporach. before and after the treatment they will fill in a battery of falidated questionnaire in order to evaluate the improvement at pelvic floor level, quality of life and psychological distress.

RedCord in Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis

The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Redcord treatment for neurogenic bowel dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis. The main objectives are: * Assess the impact of Redcord on bowel function and quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients. * Compare the outcomes of Redcord treatment with standard care practices. Participants will undergo Redcord therapy sessions and their bowel function will be monitored and compared to a control group receiving standard care. The study will measure improvements in bowel control, frequency, and overall patient satisfaction.

Evaluating the Feasibility of a Web-App for Pelvic Floor Health in Pregnant Women in the Ferrol Health Area: the WaPRUIN Study

This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of using a web-based application to improve pelvic floor health in pregnant women within the Ferrol Health Area, Spain. The intervention involves providing educational resources through a user-friendly digital platform, designed to empower women with knowledge about pelvic floor function and techniques for strengthening it during pregnancy. The study hypothesizes that a web-based educational tool can effectively increase awareness, engagement, and adherence to pelvic floor exercises among pregnant women, thereby contributing to improved maternal health outcomes. Participants will include pregnant women from the Ferrol Health Area, who will voluntarily use the application during their pregnancy. The study will assess outcomes related to usability, accessibility, and participant satisfaction with the application, as well as any improvements in pelvic floor-related health indicators. By addressing an important gap in maternal health education, this project has the potential to provide an innovative and scalable solution to enhance prenatal care.

Relationship Between Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions and Sexual Dysfunction in Female Patients with Systemic Sclerosis

Relationship Between Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions and Sexual Dysfunction in Female Patients with Systemic Sclerosis