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

NCT07742072 — Not applicable, Completed, 49 participants, Medical University of Gdansk

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Assessment of Pelvic Floor Muscle Knowledge and Ultrasound Evaluation of Pelvic Floor Muscle Function Before and After a 4-Week Training Program in Female Medical Students.

Registry	NCT07742072
Status	Completed
Phase	Not applicable
Study type	Interventional; randomized, parallel, masking: single, prevention
Enrollment	49 (Actual)
Sponsor	Medical University of Gdansk (Other)
Conditions	Pelvic Floor Disorder, Pelvic Floor Awareness, Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness
Interventions	Breathing exercises, Pelvic floor muscle contraction training (Behavioral)
Dates	start 2025-11-14, primary completion 2025-12-16, completion 2025-12-16, first posted 2026-08-03, last updated 2026-08-03
Locations	1 site in Poland

-Summary

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.

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+Arms and interventions

Arm	Type	Interventions	Description
Breathing exercise group	Experimental	Behavioral: Breathing exercises	Participants performed breathing exercises aimed at improving coordination between respiratory patterns and pelvic floor muscle function.
Pelvic floor muscle contraction group	Experimental	Behavioral: Pelvic floor muscle contraction training	Participants performed voluntary isolated pelvic floor muscle contractions as a training intervention.
Combined breathing and pelvic floor muscle contraction group	Experimental	Behavioral: Breathing exercises; Behavioral: Pelvic floor muscle contraction training	Participants performed exercises combining voluntary pelvic floor muscle contractions with breathing techniques.

Breathing exercises (Behavioral): Participants performed breathing exercises for four weeks. The training focused on diaphragmatic breathing and improving coordination between respiratory patterns and pelvic floor muscle function. Participants received instructions on proper breathing technique and performed exercises regularly according to the study protocol.
Pelvic floor muscle contraction training (Behavioral): Participants performed isolated voluntary pelvic floor muscle contractions for four weeks. The training focused on conscious activation and strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles. Participants received instructions on correct pelvic floor muscle contraction technique and performed exercises regularly according to the study protocol.

+Outcome measures

Primary outcomes

Change in pelvic floor muscle function assessed by transabdominal ultrasound [Baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention]: Change in pelvic floor muscle function after a four-week pelvic floor muscle training program, assessed using transabdominal ultrasound imaging. The assessment was performed before and after the intervention to evaluate changes in pelvic floor muscle activation.

+Eligibility

Sex: Female, ages: 18 Years to 28 Years, accepts healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

* female aged 18-28 years
* student status
* no history of injuries or surgeries involving the pelvis or lower urinary tract
* no previous pregnancies or childbirths
* no pelvic disorders or conditions (e.g., endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, recurrent bladder infections, kidney stones)
* no active infection
* no inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
* no diseases or disorders of the respiratory system

Exclusion Criteria:

* previous therapy with a urogynecological physiotherapist
* pregnancy or history of childbirth
* history of surgery involving the pelvis, lower urinary tract, spine, or abdominal cavity
* pelvic diseases and disorders
* ongoing infections or inflammatory conditions
* lack of consent to participate in the study
* cancer
* inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
* age below 18 or above 28 years
* active smoking of cigarettes or e-cigarettes
* diseases and disorders of the respiratory system

+Locations (1)

Facility	City	Country	Status
Medical University of Gdańsk	Gdansk, Pomeranian Voivodeship	Poland

+Investigators

Elżbieta Rajkowska-Labon, PhD, Study chair, Medical University od Gdańsk