Tactile Feedback Pelvic Floor Training to Prevent Stress Urinary Incontinence in the 3rd Trimester of Pregnancy

Tactile Feedback on Pelvic Floor Muscle Training in the 3rd Trimester of Pregnancy to Prevent of Stress Urinary Incontinence and Its Influence on Biological and Psychological Symptoms

Pregnancy involves significant physiological changes, such as hormone fluctuations, weight gain, and fetal growth, which can affect multiple organ systems. These changes often lead to symptoms like stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and may worsen existing conditions. SUI affects about one-third of pregnant women and can decrease quality of life.

Pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) is a recommended treatment to manage urinary incontinence during pregnancy and postpartum. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of three interventions: routine health education, traditional PFME, and tactile feedback PFME, on reducing SUI symptoms, shortening the second stage of labor, and improving quality of life.

Participants will be enrolled in their third trimester and randomly assigned to one of the three groups, with each intervention lasting 8 weeks. Outcome measures include urinary symptoms (via bladder diary, UDI-6, and IIQ-7), quality of life (via KHQ and WHOQOL-BREF), and labor outcomes (duration of the second stage).

This study compares the effectiveness of three interventions-routine health education, traditional pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME), and tactile feedback PFME-in improving urinary incontinence in pregnant women. Participants will receive one of these interventions over 8 weeks during the third trimester. The primary outcome measures include changes in urinary incontinence symptoms, quality of life,and the duration of the second stage of labor. Participants will be evaluated at baseline and 8 weeks post-intervention. This study also aims to determine whether tactile feedback PFME is more effective than traditional PFME or routine health education in reducing urinary incontinence symptoms and improving labor outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women diagnosed with urinary incontinence by obstetricians or gynecologists during prenatal care.
• Women aged 20 years or older.
• Pregnant at 29 weeks of gestation.
• Singleton pregnancy with cephalic presentation.
• Anticipated vaginal delivery.
• Able to communicate and complete questionnaires without difficulty.
• Willing to participate and provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with high-risk pregnancy or at risk of preterm labor.
• Visual impairment or physical disability that limits participation.
• Currently taking medication for urinary incontinence during pregnancy.