NCT06869538

Effect of Pilates and Kegel Exercises During Pregnancy

Effect of Pilates and Kegel Exercises During Pregnancy on Postpartum Urinary and Fecal Incontinence and Women's Quality of Life

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 67 (actual)
• Sponsor: Hitit University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 38 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence are common health problems in the postpartum period because of their effect on daily life and are likely to reduce quality of life. It is known that the most effective way to protect from UI during pregnancy and the postpartum period is pelvic floor muscle exercise. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Pilates and Kegel exercises applied during pregnancy on the quality of life of urinary and fecal incontinence in the postpartum period.

Detailed description

In this study; the effects of pilates and kegel exercises on urinary and fecal incontinence of pregnant women in the 1st and 3rd months postpartum are investigated and which of the applied pilates and kegel exercises is more effective on urinary and fecal quality of life.67 pregnant women with a mean age of 27.29±3.27 years participated in the study. Pilates exercise group (PEG, n=24), Kegel exercise group (KEG, n=22), and Control group (CG, n=21) were formed with the purposeful method. PEG exercise programs were applied for 8 weeks, 2 days a week, 40 minutes, and KEG for 8 weeks, 4 days a week, 3 sessions per day. The groups were applied the International Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form, Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life Scale, Wexner Continence Assessment Scale, and Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale at 1st. and 3rd. months postpartum

Conditions

• Pregnancy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Exercise	For the Pilates exercises, a Pilates instructor created movements (squeeze mini ball, stretch hoop, circle with large ball, back and forth with large ball, and squat) in the gymnasium of the pregnancy school for 8 weeks, 2 days a week. Auxiliary equipment (mini ball, resistance band, Pilates ring) was used. Kegel exercises were performed 4 days a week, 3 sessions a day for 8 weeks.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-06-15
• Primary completion: 2021-11-05
• Completion: 2022-02-13
• First posted: 2025-03-11
• Last updated: 2025-03-11

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)