Ultrasound and Electromyography Biofeedback for Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

November 19, 2025 updated by: National Cheng-Kung University Hospital

Application of Simultaneous Pelvic Floor Ultrasonography and Electromyography Biofeedback on Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

This study aims to investigate the factors influencing adherence to pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) devices among patients with pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) through structured questionnaires, while simultaneously comparing the effectiveness of different feedback modalities, including non-invasive ultrasound imaging and invasive manometry with electromyography (EMG). By integrating subjective adherence data with objective performance outcomes, the project seeks to evaluate the potential of system-level integration for personalized therapeutic strategies, ultimately enhancing treatment efficacy, improving patient satisfaction, and promoting sustained engagement in PFMT.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
70

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • Taiwan
    • Taiwan
      • Tainan, Taiwan, Taiwan, 704
        • Recruiting
        • National Cheng-Kung University Hospital
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Women aged 21 years or older diagnosed with pelvic floor muscle dysfunction and requiring pelvic floor muscle training (e.g., for symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse, stress urinary incontinence, or dysfunctional voiding).
  2. A Pelvic Floor Disability Index (PFDI-20) score greater than 1.
  3. Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent and authorization for the release of personal health information.
  4. Willingness and ability to complete all required questionnaires

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Individuals planning a future pregnancy.
  2. Inability to read, understand, or sign the written consent form prior to participation.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: Ultrasound group
Participants in the ultrasound group received ultrasound-based feedback during the first three sessions, followed by manometry-based feedback during the subsequent three sessions.
Device: Ultrasound Biofeedback Device
Application of trans-abdominal ultrasonography as a biofeedback tool during pelvic floor muscle training
Device: Manometer Biofeedback Device
Application of manometry as a biofeedback tool during pelvic floor muscle training. The manometer is a routinely used clinical device in hospital-based pelvic floor rehabilitation programs to provide quantitative intravaginal pressure feedback and guide patients in performing correct pelvic floor muscle contractions.
Active Comparator: Manometry Group
Participants in the manometry group received manometry -based feedback during the first three sessions, followed by ultrasound-based feedback during the subsequent three sessions.
Device: Ultrasound Biofeedback Device
Application of trans-abdominal ultrasonography as a biofeedback tool during pelvic floor muscle training
Device: Manometer Biofeedback Device
Application of manometry as a biofeedback tool during pelvic floor muscle training. The manometer is a routinely used clinical device in hospital-based pelvic floor rehabilitation programs to provide quantitative intravaginal pressure feedback and guide patients in performing correct pelvic floor muscle contractions.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Bladder base displacement (cm) during pelvic floor muscle contractions measured by transabdominal ultrasound
Time Frame: Baseline and at each of the six pelvic floor muscle training sessions (Sessions 1-6). The six training sessions will be completed within approximately one month, and study parameters will be measured at each of these six sessions by the research staff.
Transabdominal ultrasound imaging will be employed to provide real-time visualization and quantitative assessment of bladder base displacement during pelvic floor muscle (PFM) contractions. The displacement of the bladder base (in centimeters) will be recorded. Data will be aggregated as mean ± standard deviation.
Baseline and at each of the six pelvic floor muscle training sessions (Sessions 1-6). The six training sessions will be completed within approximately one month, and study parameters will be measured at each of these six sessions by the research staff.
Change in bladder base angle (degrees) relative to the horizontal line during pelvic floor muscle contractions measured by transabdominal ultrasound
Time Frame: Baseline and at each of the six pelvic floor muscle training sessions (Sessions 1-6). The six training sessions will be completed within approximately one month, and study parameters will be measured at each of these six sessions by the research staff.
Transabdominal ultrasound imaging will be used to quantify the angular change of the bladder base relative to a horizontal reference line during pelvic floor muscle (PFM) contractions. The angle (in degrees) at rest and during contraction will be recorded, and the difference will be calculated. Data will be summarized as mean ± standard deviation across participants for each session.
Baseline and at each of the six pelvic floor muscle training sessions (Sessions 1-6). The six training sessions will be completed within approximately one month, and study parameters will be measured at each of these six sessions by the research staff.
Survey on Willingness to Use Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Devices
Time Frame: A total of six pelvic floor muscle training sessions will be completed within approximately one month. Questionnaires will be administered at the 3rd session (midpoint of the treatment) and the 6th session (completion of all training sessions)
A structured questionnaire designed to assess participants' willingness to use pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) devices. The survey evaluates multiple domains, including both physical and psychological aspects, providing insights into patient adherence and acceptance of different pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) assistive tools. The questionnaire is based on a 7-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 ("strongly disagree") to 7 ("strongly agree"). Higher scores indicate greater willingness, acceptance, and positive perception toward the use of pelvic floor muscle training devices.
A total of six pelvic floor muscle training sessions will be completed within approximately one month. Questionnaires will be administered at the 3rd session (midpoint of the treatment) and the 6th session (completion of all training sessions)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Surface Electromyography
Time Frame: At each of the six pelvic floor muscle training sessions (Sessions 1-6). The six training sessions will be completed within approximately one month, and outcome parameters will be measured at each of these six sessions by the research staff.
Electromyographic signals of pelvic floor muscle contractions will be recorded using the wireless surface EMG system.
At each of the six pelvic floor muscle training sessions (Sessions 1-6). The six training sessions will be completed within approximately one month, and outcome parameters will be measured at each of these six sessions by the research staff.
Vaginal manometry measurement
Time Frame: Measurements will be performed during either the 1st to 3rd sessions (approximately days 1-14 after baseline) or the 4th to 6th sessions (approximately days 15-30 after baseline), according to each participant's assigned randomization sequence.
A pressure-sensing probe will be inserted vaginally to measure intravaginal pressure (expressed in cmH₂O) generated during pelvic floor muscle contractions.
Measurements will be performed during either the 1st to 3rd sessions (approximately days 1-14 after baseline) or the 4th to 6th sessions (approximately days 15-30 after baseline), according to each participant's assigned randomization sequence.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
National Cheng-Kung University Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
February 29, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 31, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 31, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 4, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
November 19, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
November 21, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
November 21, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
November 19, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • A-ER-112-385

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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