NCT06532292

Physical Therapy Intervention for Pelvic Organ Prolapses

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 28 (estimated)
• Sponsor: National Taiwan University Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 20 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and pessaries are first-line non-surgical conservative treatments for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Field (HIFEM) is a noninvasive and painless device, designed to promote muscle strengthening and growth and has become a popular treatment option for urinary incontinence in the field of gynecology. However, HIFEM has not yet been rigorously compared to traditional physical therapy for POP. The objectives of this pilot study are to explore clinical effects of HIFEM on POP symptoms; to compare the effectiveness of HIFEM versus PFMT with biofeedback, and usual care on patient-centered outcomes; and to explore the acceptability of the interventions. This is a prospective, single-center randomized controlled trial with a nested qualitative interview study. Twenty-one women with POP, aged \>20 years, will be recruited and randomly allocated to three groups, 'HIFEM' group, 'Biofeedback' group, and 'Usual care' group.The 'HIFEM' group will be asked to sit straight in the center of an electromagnetic chair and remained fully clothed for 28 minutes. The 'Biofeedback' group will receive PFMT with biofeedback and/or electrostimulation. Both 'HIFEM' and 'Biofeedback' groups will receive the interventions twice a week for 8 weeks. Participants allocated to the 'Usual care' group will receive the lifestyle advice leaflet only. All participants will be assessed for pelvic floor muscle function, symptom severity of POP, occurrence and distress related to pelvic floor dysfunction, and impact of pelvic floor dysfunction at baseline and immediately post-intervention.

Detailed description

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a prevalent, non-malignant condition affecting 30% to 50% women, with roughly 30% of these women undergo surgical intervention due to related symptoms impacting their daily lives. According to the international guidelines, the management of POP encompasses several approaches, including observation, lifestyle adjustments, pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), the use of pessaries, reconstructive surgeries, obliterative surgeries, transperineal surgeries, and transabdominal surgeries. Among these, PFMT and pessaries are first-line non-surgical conservative treatments for POP. High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Field (HIFEM) is a noninvasive and painless device, designed to promote muscle strengthening and growth. Recently, the HIFEM has become a popular treatment option for urinary incontinence in the field of gynecology. The HIFEM, unlike traditional PFMT, does not require any exposure of the intimate part of the body; the patient is fully clothed and seated on the center of the chair during the treatment. However, while revolutionary, HIFEM has not yet been rigorously compared to traditional physical therapy for POP. The objectives of this study are: 1. To explore clinical effects of HIFEM on POP symptoms. 2. To compare the effectiveness of HIFEM versus PFMT with biofeedback, and usual care on patient-centered outcomes. 3. To explore the acceptability of the interventions This is a prospective, single-center randomized controlled trial with a nested qualitative interview study. Sixty-nine women with POP, aged \>20 years, will be recruited and randomly allocated to three groups, 'HIFEM' group, 'Biofeedback' group, and 'Usual care' group. The 'HIFEM' group will be asked to sit straight in the center of an electromagnetic chair and remained fully clothed for 28 minutes. The process will be supervised by a female physical therapist who will also provide a lifestyle advice leaflet and education to the participants. The training will be provided at a frequency of two sessions per week over 8 weeks. The 'Biofeedback' group will receive PFMT with biofeedback and/or electrostimulation twice a week for 8 weeks with a physical therapist. Participants allocated to the 'Usual care' group will receive the lifestyle advice leaflet only. The baseline and immediately post-intervention assessments will include clinical examination of pelvic floor muscle function (digital palpation and transperineal ultrasound) and three questionnaires about symptom severity of POP, occurrence and distress related to pelvic floor dysfunction, and impact of pelvic floor dysfunction. This study will provide evidence of effectiveness of different modes of physical therapy program for women with POP and health-care professionals working with this population in clinical practice.

Conditions

• Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Biofeedback	To facilitate PFM function, electromyography biofeedback and electrical stimulation will be employed using an intravaginal probe, tailored to individual needs.
DEVICE	HIFEM	The HIFEM device (i.e. BTL EMSELLA) is FDA approved and its indications are to provide entirely non-invasive electromagnetic stimulation of pelvic floor muscle for the purpose of rehabilitation of weak pelvic muscles and restoration of neuromuscular control for the treatment of male and female urinary incontinence.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-08-05
• Primary completion: 2025-06-06
• Completion: 2026-08-09
• First posted: 2024-08-01
• Last updated: 2025-07-31

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Taiwan