Physical Therapy on Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Effectiveness of Physical Therapy on Pelvic Organ Prolapse Stages I & II

OBJECTIVE: To find out the effectiveness of physical therapy for stages I and II pelvic organ prolapse. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled and single blinded clinical trial. Patients will be randomly assigned to one of these groups: Experimental group: physical therapy + training in lifestyle advice; Control group: just training in means of lifestyle advice. In both groups several physical therapy assessments will be undertaken: 1st before intervention; 2nd immediately after completing intervention; 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. SUBJECTS: Women with previously untreated prolapse of stage I or II (confirmed by their gynaecologist using the POP-Q) in Príncipe de Asturias Hospital, provided that there is no contraindication for physical therapy, and after reading, understanding and freely signing an informed consent form. SAMPLE SIZE: A total of 120 subjects will be included in the study (60 subjects in each group). DATA ANALYSIS: A descriptive analysis will be done of all the variables, as well as bivariate analysis in order to find all the possible relationships between the variables. A confidence level of 95% (p<0.05) will be established for all the cases. Effectiveness will be evaluated by comparing between the two groups of the change in outcome variables between visits.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women with POP of any stage I or II according to POP-Q system.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women diagnosed with POP stage III or IV according to POP-Q system
• Women with a history of conservative POP treatment or surgery
• Women with concomitant disease that may affect treatment (neurological, gynecological or urological) or urinary tract infection or recurrent hematuria
• Women who are pregnant or have had a vaginal birthing the last six months
• Women with cognitive limitations in understanding the information, answer questionnaires, consent and / or participate in the study