What is the Best Verbal Instruction for Contraction the Pelvic Floor Muscles?

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim of this study is to T to compare the effectiveness of producing a pelvic floor muscle contraction by different verbal instruction. Pelvic floor muscle contraction will be measured displacement of the pelvic floor when imaged on ultrasound.

Detailed Description
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This study will examine pelvic floor muscle contraction following different verbal instructions. This is a cross-sectional exploratory study. Physical-therapy students will be recruited to complete a survey and non-invasive transabdominal ultrasound assessment. A bladder filling protocol will be implemented to ensure subjects will have sufficient fluid in their bladders to allow clear ultrasound imaging. This protocol involved subjects consuming 600-750 ml of water in a 1 hr. period. The participants will be tested in a crook-lying supine position with a pillow under their heads for comfort. The participants will be divided into 2 groups randomly. Both groups will be given three different verbal instructions to contract pelvic floor muscles. Each contraction will be performed 3 time with rests of 10 sec between contractions. While the first 2 contractions for each verbal instruction will be held for 3 sec. the last contraction will be held as long as the participant can conduct and the time of contraction will be measured as well. The pelvic floor contraction will be measured by assessing bladder displacement via diagnostic ultrasound. To image the pelvic floor a 5 MHz curved linear array transducer (Mindray M5) will be placed in the transverse plane immediately suprapubically over the lower abdomen angled at 15-30 degrees from the vertical. An on screen caliper and measurement tool will be used to measure bladder displacement.

Official Title
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What is the Best Verbal Instruction for Contraction the Pelvic Floor Muscles?

Conditions
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Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: verbal instruction


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: willing to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: pregnancy previous abdominal surgeries

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: 2 groups randomly divided. Both groups will be given three different verbal instructions to contract pelvic floor muscles.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Group A<br>The participants will be verbal instructed to contract the pelvic floor muscle with the following sentences: squeeze the pelvic floor muscles squeeze and lift the pelvic floor muscles as if stopping the flow of urine Take a moderate breath in, let the breath out, draw in and lift your pelvic floor. contract all of the above together | Diagnostic Test: verbal instruction<br>* Verbal instruction for pelvic floor contraction will be given to participants. Ultrasound examination will be conducted to asses urinary bladder displacement being a marker for pelvic floor muscle function.<br>* Other names: diagnostic ultrasound assesment;|
| Experimental: Group B<br>The participants will be verbal instructed to contract the pelvic floor muscle with the following sentences: squeeze the pelvic floor muscles squeeze the anus Take a moderate breath in, let the breath out, draw in and lift your pelvic floor. contract all of the above together | Diagnostic Test: verbal instruction<br>* Verbal instruction for pelvic floor contraction will be given to participants. Ultrasound examination will be conducted to asses urinary bladder displacement being a marker for pelvic floor muscle function.<br>* Other names: diagnostic ultrasound assesment;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| urinary bladder displacement in millimeters during first verbal instruction | bladder displacement will be measured via diagnostic ultrasound using the on screen caliper tool | up to 6 months | 
| urinary bladder displacement in millimeters during second verbal instruction | bladder displacement will be measured via diagnostic ultrasound using the on screen caliper tool | up to 6 months | 
| urinary bladder displacement in millimeters during third verbal instruction | bladder displacement will be measured via diagnostic ultrasound using the on screen caliper tool | up to 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| pelvic floor muscles endurance of contraction in seconds | time of muscle contraction will be measured during the last contraction in each instruction | up to 6 months | 
| demographic self reported questionnaire regarding height | height in meters | baseline | 
| demographic self reported questionnaire regarding weight | weight in kilograms | baseline | 
| self reported questionnaire regarding physical activity | number of practice per week | baseline | 
| questionnaire regarding symptoms of urinary incontinence = International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form | scale range 0-21 points. higher values represent worse outcome | baseline | 
| BMI | measured in kg/m^2 and calculated from the reported values of weight and height | baseline | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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verbal instruction, pelvic diaphragm, muscle contraction