Movement Simulation Techniques and Therapeutic Exercise in Young Nulliparous Women

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Both motor imagery and action observation training, either alone or in combination with physical practice, have been shown to improve some clinical variables of interest such as strength and motor control. However, this has not yet been investigated in the pelvic floor musculature.

Official Title
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Movement Simulation Techniques and Therapeutic Exercise in Young Nulliparous Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Motor Imagery, Action Observation, Therapeutic Exercise

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Therapeutic exercise plus motor imagery
* Behavioral: Therapeutic exercise plus action observation
* Behavioral: Therapeutic exercise


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Over 18 years of age and asymptomatic women. Exclusion Criteria: This study will exclude those who presented a respiratory pathology, cardiac, systematic, or metabolic disease, history of recent surgery, vertebral fracture, or osteoarticular disorders of the spine area.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 30 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

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
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Therapeutic exercise plus motor imagery<br> | Behavioral: Therapeutic exercise plus motor imagery<br>* Therapeutic exercise programme (aerobic exercise and strengthening exercise) to which is added a motor imagery intervention (which consists of imagining the same movements but not performing them for real).<br>|
| Experimental: Therapeutic exercise plus action observation<br> | Behavioral: Therapeutic exercise plus action observation<br>* Therapeutic exercise programme (aerobic exercise and strengthening exercise) to which is added an action observation intervention (which consists of observing the same movements but not performing them for real).<br>|
| Active Comparator: Therapeutic exercise<br> | Behavioral: Therapeutic exercise<br>* Therapeutic exercise programme (aerobic exercise and strengthening exercise) to which is added a sham action observation intervention (which consists of observing planets in space).<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| maximal pelvic floor muscle strength (measured in grams and with the phenix device) | Three measurements of maximal pelvic floor strength shall be performed with an intracavitary probe and the mean of the three measurements of maximal pelvic floor muscle strength shall be considered. | pre-intervention (T0), at one week after the intervention (T1) and at two weeks after starting the intervention (post-intervention (T2)). | 
| Algometry for assessing pressure pain thresholds (Pain sensitivity) | An algometer shall be used to assess pain thresholds to pressure, i.e. squeezing so that pressure is converted into pain at four points. Two points in the symphysis pubis area, one point in the lumbar area and one point near the tibial tuberosity. | pre-intervention (T0), at one week after the intervention (T1) and at two weeks after starting the intervention (post-intervention (T2)). | 
| Motor control of the lumbopelvic area assessed with a biofeedback device. | A protocol to assess lumbopelvic dissociation (i.e. moving the legs without moving the lower back) of both legs of the participants will be performed with a biofeedback device that assesses the pressure exerted on the lower back during leg mobilisation (in mmHg). | pre-intervention (T0), at one week after the intervention (T1) and at two weeks after starting the intervention (post-intervention (T2)). |