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Urinary IncontinenceNCT05443074

Efficacy of a Face to Face Versus a Remote Physiotherapy Instruction Session About Pelvic Floor in Women With Urinary Incontinence

A study testing Face to face intervention group and Remote intervention group in people with Urinary Incontinence, run by University of Sao Paulo at 1 site in Brazil.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this study is to assess and to compare the efficacy of a face to face versus a remote physiotherapy instruction session about pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function, including teaching women how to contract their PFM and how to perceive a correct PFM contraction. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 90 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Urinary Incontinence
What is being tested?
Face to face intervention group and Remote intervention group
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
92 participants
Where
1 siteBrazil
Study dates
12 Apr 2023to 22 Sep 2025
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 90 years
  • Women only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Women who are not able to contract their PFM (≤ 2 of Modified Oxford Scale);
  • Cognitive ability, hearing and visual acuity preserved (through 10-point cognitive screener and Snellen test, respectively);
  • Non-neurogenic UI;
  • No history of neurological disorders;
  • No symptoms of a vaginal or urinary tract infection;
  • Pelvic organ prolapse ≤2 (according to the Baden and Walker scale);
  • Who have not already been instructed on how to perform PFM contraction or who is not already performing PFM training;
  • No suspected or confirmed pregnancy.

Who cannot join

  • Who have intolerance to physical examination, or latex allergy;
  • Who withdraws from participating in the study.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Brazil1 site
  • University of São Paulo

    Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14026956

Other trials in Brazil

About this study

Official title: Efficacy of a Face-to-face Versus a Remote Physiotherapy Instruction Session About Pelvic Floor in the Pelvic Floor Muscle Capacity of Incontinent Women: a Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to assess and to compare the efficacy of a face to face versus a remote physiotherapy instruction session about pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function, including teaching women how to contract their PFM and how to perceive a correct PFM contraction. Study participants will be randomly assigned to participate in one of the three study groups: Group 1 will receive face to face instructions, Group 2 will receive real time remote instructions and Group 3 will not receive any instruction. The primary outcome measure is PFM function assessed using the modified Oxford Scale.

Being tested
Face to face intervention group, Remote intervention group, Control group
Medical subject headings
Urinary Incontinence

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Face to face intervention groupOther

    Participants of this group will participate in a one 15 minutes face to face session where they will receive information about anatomy, functions and dysfunctions of the pelvic floor. During the session, some teaching materials will be used (an anatomical model, prototype simulator of the functions of the PFM, posters, videos and images), in order to facilitate the learning of women about how to contract their PFM and how to avoid urinary loss by contracting their muscles.

    At the end of the session, the participants will have time to ask their questions and will receive a home booklet reinforcing the information given during the session including instructions for them to perform a PFM contraction during daily live situations that generate an increased intra-abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, weight lifting and other activities, as well as strategies to inhibit urge urinary incontinence (UI).

  • Remote intervention groupOther

    Participants of this group will be referred to a room with a computer (inside the rehabilitation center) to participate in a one 15 minutes real time remote session, where they will receive information about anatomy, functions and dysfunctions of the pelvic floor. During the session, some teaching materials will be used (an anatomical model, prototype simulator of the functions of the PFM, posters, videos and images), in order to facilitate the learning of women about how to contract their PFM and how to avoid urinary loss by contracting their muscles.

    At the end of the session, the participants will have time to ask their questions and will receive a home booklet reinforcing the information given during the session including instructions for them to perform a PFM contraction during daily live situations that generate an increased intra-abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, weight lifting and other activities, as well as strategies to inhibit urge UI.

  • Control groupOther

    Participants of this group will be assessed in the same time points of the participants of the two other groups. They will not receive any intervention or information about pelvic floor anatomy, functions and dysfunctions of the pelvic floor, however after the last assessment (20 days after) for ethical reasons they will receive the same intervention.

Study groups in NCT05443074
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Face to face intervention groupActive comparatorThis group will be composed of participants who will receive face to face physiotherapy instruction session.
Receives: Other: Face to face intervention group
Remote intervention groupExperimentalThis group will be composed of participants who will receive real time remote physiotherapy instruction session.
Receives: Other: Remote intervention group
Control groupActive comparatorThis group will be composed of participants who will not receive any type of physiotherapy instruction session during the period of the study.
Receives: Other: Control group

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in contraction capacity

    The Modified Oxford Scale will be used to assess change in the capacity to perform a PFM contraction through vaginal palpation. The Modified Oxford Scale is a categorical variable with 6 possible answers ranging from 0 to 5. High scores of Modified Oxford Scale mean better PFM function and lower scores mean worse PFM function.

    Measured: At baseline, immediately after intervention and 20 days after the intervention.

  2. Change in self-perception of the PFM

    The Modified Oxford Scale will be used to assess change in the participants' self-perception of their contraction after vaginal palpation. The Modified Oxford Scale is a categorical variable with 6 possible answers ranging from 0 to 5. High scores of Modified Oxford Scale mean better PFM function and lower scores mean worse PFM function.

    Measured: At baseline, immediately after intervention and 20 days after the intervention.

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Self-report of UI symptoms

    Reports of UI symptoms will be evaluated through the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form. Participants who report having had no urinary leakage in the last four weeks will be considered continents. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire score can range from 0 (when there is no report of urinary leakage, with no impact on quality of life) to 21 (highest in UI severity and maximum impact on quality of life).

    Measured: At baseline and 20 days after the intervention.

  2. Assessment of the usefulness of teaching resources

    The usefulness of teaching resources will be evaluated by the numerical visual scale and by a questionnaire developed by the researchers. In the post-intervention evaluation of face to face intervention group and remote intervention group, the numerical visual scale and the questionnaire will be presented to the participants and then they will be asked to evaluate and mark on the line the point corresponding to the degree of satisfaction/usefulness of the resources. Scores closer to 0 correspond to no satisfaction with the resources used in the instruction session about pelvic floor and scores closer to 10 correspond to satisfaction with the resources used.

    Measured: Immediately after intervention

  3. Satisfaction with the orientations

    Satisfaction with the instructions received during the session will be evaluated by the numerical visual scale. In the post-intervention evaluation, face to face intervention group and remote intervention group will be asked to evaluate and mark on the line the point corresponding to the degree of satisfaction with the guidelines given in the session. Scores closer to 0 correspond to no satisfaction with the instruction received during session about pelvic floor and scores closer to 10 correspond to satisfaction with the instruction received during session about pelvic floor.

    Measured: Immediately after intervention

  4. System usability assessment

    The usability of the system used to carry out the remote intervention group session will be evaluated through the systems usability scale. The system usability assessment score can range from 0 (the lower the score, the greater the usability problems of the system used) to 100 (the higher the score, the lower the usability problems of the system used).

    Measured: Immediately after intervention

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted5 Jul 2022
  2. Study start12 Apr 2023
  3. Primary completion22 Sep 2025
  4. Study completion22 Sep 2025

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
92 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05443074
Sponsor's protocol ID
52672521.0.0000.5440
Status last verified
Jun 2026
First submitted
24 May 2022
Last updated
24 Jun 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Aoki Y, Brown HW, Brubaker L, Cornu JN, Daly JO, Cartwright R. Urinary incontinence in women. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017 Jul 6;3:17042. doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2017.42.

    PubMed 28681849
  • Bo K, Frawley HC, Haylen BT, Abramov Y, Almeida FG, Berghmans B, Bortolini M, Dumoulin C, Gomes M, McClurg D, Meijlink J, Shelly E, Trabuco E, Walker C, Wells A. An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for the conservative and nonpharmacological management of female pelvic floor dysfunction. Neurourol Urodyn. 2017 Feb;36(2):221-244. doi: 10.1002/nau.23107. Epub 2016 Dec 5.

    PubMed 27918122
  • Cacciari LP, Dumoulin C, Hay-Smith EJ. Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment, or inactive control treatments, for urinary incontinence in women: a cochrane systematic review abridged republication. Braz J Phys Ther. 2019 Mar-Apr;23(2):93-107. doi: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2019.01.002. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

    PubMed 30704907
  • Dantas LO, Barreto RPG, Ferreira CHJ. Digital physical therapy in the COVID-19 pandemic. Braz J Phys Ther. 2020 Sep-Oct;24(5):381-383. doi: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2020.04.006. Epub 2020 May 1. No abstract available.

    PubMed 32387004
  • de Andrade RL, Bo K, Antonio FI, Driusso P, Mateus-Vasconcelos ECL, Ramos S, Julio MP, Ferreira CHJ. An education program about pelvic floor muscles improved women's knowledge but not pelvic floor muscle function, urinary incontinence or sexual function: a randomised trial. J Physiother. 2018 Apr;64(2):91-96. doi: 10.1016/j.jphys.2018.02.010. Epub 2018 Mar 21.

    PubMed 29574170
  • de Freitas LM, Bo K, Fernandes ACNL, Uechi N, Duarte TB, Ferreira CHJ. Pelvic floor muscle knowledge and relationship with muscle strength in Brazilian women: a cross-sectional study. Int Urogynecol J. 2019 Nov;30(11):1903-1909. doi: 10.1007/s00192-018-3824-y. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

    PubMed 30467764
  • Ferreira CHJ, Driusso P, Haddad JM, Pereira SB, Fernandes ACNL, Porto D, Reis BM, Mascarenhas LR, Brito LGO, Ferreira EAG. A guide to physiotherapy in urogynecology for patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Int Urogynecol J. 2021 Jan;32(1):203-210. doi: 10.1007/s00192-020-04542-8. Epub 2020 Sep 28.

    PubMed 32986147
  • Fernandes ACNL, Palacios-Cena D, Hay-Smith J, Pena CC, Sidou MF, de Alencar AL, Ferreira CHJ. Women report sustained benefits from attending group-based education about pelvic floor muscles: a longitudinal qualitative study. J Physiother. 2021 Jul;67(3):210-216. doi: 10.1016/j.jphys.2021.06.010. Epub 2021 Jun 17.

    PubMed 34147398
  • Frawley HC, Galea MP, Phillips BA, Sherburn M, Bo K. Reliability of pelvic floor muscle strength assessment using different test positions and tools. Neurourol Urodyn. 2006;25(3):236-242. doi: 10.1002/nau.20201.

    PubMed 16299815
  • Haylen BT, de Ridder D, Freeman RM, Swift SE, Berghmans B, Lee J, Monga A, Petri E, Rizk DE, Sand PK, Schaer GN. An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for female pelvic floor dysfunction. Int Urogynecol J. 2010 Jan;21(1):5-26. doi: 10.1007/s00192-009-0976-9. Epub 2009 Nov 25.

    PubMed 19937315
  • Hay-Smith J, Herderschee R, Dumoulin C, Herbison P. Comparisons of approaches to pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence in women: an abridged Cochrane systematic review. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2012 Dec;48(4):689-705.

    PubMed 23183454
  • Hui E, Lee PS, Woo J. Management of urinary incontinence in older women using videoconferencing versus conventional management: a randomized controlled trial. J Telemed Telecare. 2006;12(7):343-7. doi: 10.1258/135763306778682413.

    PubMed 17059650
  • Laycock J. Pelvic muscle exercises: physiotherapy for the pelvic floor. Urol Nurs. 1994 Sep;14(3):136-40. No abstract available.

    PubMed 7732416
  • Liao YM, Dougherty MC, Liou YS, Tseng IJ. Pelvic floor muscle training effect on urinary incontinence knowledge, attitudes, and severity: an experimental study. Int J Nurs Stud. 2006 Jan;43(1):29-37. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2005.01.004.

    PubMed 16326162
  • Mateus-Vasconcelos ECL, Brito LGO, Driusso P, Silva TD, Antonio FI, Ferreira CHJ. Effects of three interventions in facilitating voluntary pelvic floor muscle contraction in women: a randomized controlled trial. Braz J Phys Ther. 2018 Sep-Oct;22(5):391-399. doi: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2017.12.006. Epub 2018 Feb 3.

    PubMed 29429823

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Face to face intervention group and Remote intervention group in people with Urinary Incontinence, run by University of Sao Paulo at 1 site in Brazil.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Brazil. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in contraction capacity (time frame: At baseline, immediately after intervention and 20 days after the intervention.). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05443074, which also lists 23 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Jun 2026.

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