Effect of Respiratory Exercises On The Intravaginal Ejaculation Latency Time (premature)

January 5, 2023 updated by: Dilber Karagozoglu Coskunsu, Bahçeşehir University

Effect of Respiratory Exercises Applied In Addition to Pelvic Floor Exercises and Behavioral Therapy Methods on the Intravaginal Ejaculation Latency Time In Individuals With Premature Ejaculation Patients

According to recent epidemiological studies, premature ejaculation (PE) is accepted as the most common sexual dysfunction in men, with a frequency of up to 20%.According to the definition made by the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) in 2014, PE: 'Ejaculation (lifelong PE) that is always or almost always around 1 minute after the first sexual experience, or, ejaculation time can be reduced to 3 minutes.

Male pelvic floor muscle function also plays a role in coordinating ejaculation. Pelvic floor therapy has been found to improve control over ejaculation and increase intravaginal ejaculatory delay times (IELT) in men with premature ejaculation and pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.

Behavioral treatments consist of physical techniques that will help men's sexual development, delaying ejaculation and increasing sexual self-confidence. Specific physical techniques include: The "stop-start" technique developed by Semans involves the person or their partner, the penis is stimulated until you feel the urge to ejaculate, then it stops until the feeling goes away and the feeling goes away; this is repeated several times before allowing ejaculation to occur.

The pelvic floor muscles have respiratory functions, and most of them have been investigated in studies on urological diseases. Focusing on lower abdominal respiration, it was observed that it was associated with a significant increase in whole blood serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels . One hypothesis proposed for the pathophysiology of premature ejaculation is that high 5-HT is associated with ejaculatory control.

Our purpose is to investigate the effect of adding breathing exercises in addition to pelvic floor rehabilitation and behavioral treatment methods on ejaculation time in individuals with premature ejaculation.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

INTRODUCTION According to recent epidemiological studies, premature ejaculation (PE) is accepted as the most common sexual dysfunction in men, with a frequency of up to 20%. According to the definition made by the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) in 2014, PE: 'Ejaculation (lifelong PE) that is always or almost always around 1 minute after the first sexual experience, or, ejaculation time can be reduced to 3 minutes. A male sexual dysfunction characterized by clinically significant and bothersome shortening (acquired PE) up to and including an inability to always or almost always delay ejaculation at vaginal penetrations, and negative personal problems such as stress, distress, frustration, and/or sexual avoidance.

Ejaculation is a highly complex process that requires the coordination and efferent nerve interaction of the motor and sensory areas of the brain and spinal motor areas, as well as sensory receptors and afferent nerve pathways. Ejaculation is controlled by various neurotransmitters distributed throughout the supraspinal and spinal nuclei. In animal studies, serotonin [5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HT)], dopamine (DA) and oxytocin (OT), opioids, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), nitric oxide (NO) and norepinephrine (NE); GABA, OT, 5-HT and Substance P at the spinal cord level; Peripheral NE, acetylcholine (Ach), NO, OT, purines (P2), 5-HT and sensory receptors have been shown to be involved in ejaculation.

Despite pelvic floor physiotherapy, which represents a conservative, modifiable, non-invasive, non-pharmacological and non-surgical intervention in the treatment of male sexual dysfunction, the biological relationship between pelvic floor function and male sexual function is rarely emphasized.

Male pelvic floor dysfunction has been associated with ejaculation and orgasm dysfunction as well as erectile dysfunction. Male pelvic floor muscle function also plays a role in coordinating ejaculation. Pelvic floor therapy has been found to improve control over ejaculation and increase intravaginal ejaculatory delay times (IELT) in men with premature ejaculation and pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.

Behavioral treatments consist of physical techniques that will help men's sexual development, delaying ejaculation and increasing sexual self-confidence. Specific physical techniques include: The "stop-start" technique developed by Semans involves the person or their partner, the penis is stimulated until you feel the urge to ejaculate, then it stops until the feeling goes away and the feeling goes away; this is repeated several times before allowing ejaculation to occur. The goal is to learn and recognize feelings of arousal and to improve control over ejaculation. The "squeeze" technique proposed by Masters and Johnson, stimulates the penis until you feel the urge to ejaculate, then tightens the glans penis until the urge to ejaculate passes; this is repeated without allowing ejaculation to occur.

The pelvic floor muscles have respiratory functions, and most of them have been investigated in studies on urological diseases. Focusing on lower abdominal respiration, it was observed that it was associated with a significant increase in whole blood serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels. One hypothesis proposed for the pathophysiology of premature ejaculation is that high 5-HT is associated with ejaculatory control. Psychological comorbidities such as depression, anxiety, and extreme stress are associated with premature ejaculation. It has been observed that pelvic and perineal muscles that have not been fully relaxed may cause premature ejaculation.

PURPOSE To investigate the effect of adding breathing exercises in addition to pelvic floor rehabilitation and behavioral treatment methods on ejaculation time in individuals with premature ejaculation.

METHOD 62 individuals between the ages of 18-45 with premature ejaculation problems will be included in the study. Participating in the study will be randomly divided into two groups. To the 1st group (n=32), 1) awareness of the pelvic floor muscles, 2) teaching the specific contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, 3) teaching the timing of the contraction and maintenance of the pelvic floor muscles during the intercourse pre-orgasmic sensation with start stop technique, 4) the strengthening exercises of the pelvic floor muscles. A 4-step treatment protocol will be applied. Pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercises will be given for both slow-twitch and fast-twitch fibers. For slow twitch fibers, 15 repetitive exercises including 10 seconds of submaximal contraction followed by 10 seconds of relaxation, and 10 repetitive exercises including 1 second submaximal contraction followed by 1 second relaxation for fast-twitch fibers will be given 2 times a day, 3 days a week. Slow and fast twitch fiber contraction exercises will require maximum contraction of the specific pelvic floor muscles without contraction of the gluteal and abdominal and adductor muscles. In the second group (n=32), breathing exercises will be given in addition to this treatment protocol. Diaphragmatic breathing exercises will be given 6 breaths/minute, expiration and inspiration times of 7 seconds and 3 seconds, respectively, and at least 10 diaphragmatic breaths will be given in each session, 3 times a day, 8 weeks. All individuals to be included in the study will be selected, according to The International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM), who always or almost always ejaculate 1 minute or more before vaginal penetration. Intravaginal ejaculation time (IELT) will be evaluated for both groups before and after the application. Before the application, pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance of both groups will be evaluated by ultrasound.

Inclusion criteria for the study:

  • IELT < 60 seconds
  • PEDT > 11
  • Persons included in the study have been in a stable relationship with a partner for at least 6 months and have sexual intercourse once a week or more

Exclusion criteria from the study:

  • Individuals with erectile dysfunction
  • Individuals with prostatitis
  • Those who have a psychiatric disorder and take medication for this reason

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

62

Phase

  • 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 Backup

Study Locations

      • Istanbul, Turkey, 34183
        • Recruiting
        • Kurbaa Egitim Danısmanlık Merkezi
        • Contact:
        • 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

Ages Eligible for Study

20 years to 45 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Male

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • IELT < 60 seconds
  • PEDT > 11
  • Persons included in the study have been in a stable relationship with a partner for at least 6 months and have sexual intercourse once a week or more

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Individuals with erectile dysfunction
  • Individuals with prostatitis
  • Those who have a psychiatric disorder and take medication for this reason

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: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: pelvic floor exercises, behavioral therapy and respiratory exercises group
Interventions of this group include pelvic floor exercises and behavioral therapy plus respiratory exercises for 8 weeks.
Pelvic floor exercises and behavioral therapy interventions include a 4-step treatment protocol: 1) awareness of the pelvic floor muscles, 2) teaching the specific contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, 3) teaching the timing of the contraction and maintenance of the pelvic floor muscles during the intercourse pre-orgasmic sensation with start-stop behavioral therapy, 4) the strengthening exercises of the pelvic floor muscles. For slow twitch fibers, 15 repetitive exercises including 10 seconds of submaximal contraction followed by 10 seconds of relaxation, and 10 repetitive exercises including 1 second submaximal contraction followed by 1 second relaxation for fast-twitch fibers will be given 2 times a day, 3 days a week, 8 weeks.

Pelvic floor exercises and behavioral therapy interventions include a 4-step treatment protocol: 1) awareness of the pelvic floor muscles, 2) teaching the specific contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, 3) teaching the timing of the contraction and maintenance of the pelvic floor muscles during the intercourse pre-orgasmic sensation with start-stop behavioral therapy, 4) the strengthening exercises of the pelvic floor muscles. For slow twitch fibers, 15 repetitive exercises including 10 seconds of submaximal contraction followed by 10 seconds of relaxation, and 10 repetitive exercises including 1 second submaximal contraction followed by 1 second relaxation for fast-twitch fibers will be given 2 times a day, 3 days a week, 8 weeks.

Respiratory exercises will be given 6 breaths/minute with expiration and inspiration times of 7 seconds and 3 seconds, respectively. At least 10 diaphragmatic breaths will be given in each session, 2 times a day, 7 days a week, 8 weeks.

Active Comparator: pelvic floor exercises and behavioral therapy group
Interventions of this group include pelvic floor exercises and behavioral therapy for 8 weeks.
Pelvic floor exercises and behavioral therapy interventions include a 4-step treatment protocol: 1) awareness of the pelvic floor muscles, 2) teaching the specific contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, 3) teaching the timing of the contraction and maintenance of the pelvic floor muscles during the intercourse pre-orgasmic sensation with start-stop behavioral therapy, 4) the strengthening exercises of the pelvic floor muscles. For slow twitch fibers, 15 repetitive exercises including 10 seconds of submaximal contraction followed by 10 seconds of relaxation, and 10 repetitive exercises including 1 second submaximal contraction followed by 1 second relaxation for fast-twitch fibers will be given 2 times a day, 3 days a week, 8 weeks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Intravaginal Ejaculatation Latency Time(IELT)
Time Frame: Change from pre-treatment of Intravaginal Ejaculatory Latency Time and at the end of the 8 weeks after treatment.
Intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) is the time it takes to ejaculate during vaginal penetration. An intravaginal ejaculation time if less than 1 minute is defined as premature ejaculation.
Change from pre-treatment of Intravaginal Ejaculatory Latency Time and at the end of the 8 weeks after treatment.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Pelvic Floor Muscles Contraction and Endurance Assesment
Time Frame: Change from pre-treatment of pelvic floor contraction and endurance with ultrasound and at the end of the 8 weeks after treatment.
Pelvic floor muscle contraction will be done by measuring with ultrasound the amount of bladder floor movement. 1 hour before the test, all participants will be asked to fill their bladders by consuming 600-750 ml of water within half an hour without urinating.
Change from pre-treatment of pelvic floor contraction and endurance with ultrasound and at the end of the 8 weeks after treatment.
Assessment of the Autonomic Nervous System
Time Frame: Change from pre-treatment of autonomic nervous system data from elite hrv device and at the end of the 8 weeks after treatment.
Elite HRV device will attached to the index fingers of the patients in the sitting position, and data is collected and recorded for 1 minute. The expression RMSSD is used for a snapshot of the Parasympathetic branch of the Autonomic Nervous System and is the basis for your HRV score. PNN50 refers to NN50 divided by the total number of NN (R-R) intervals. NN50 is the number of consecutive pairs of NN (R-R) intervals that differ by more than 50 ms (Heathers, 2014). LF power is the efficiency of the frequency in the range of 0.04 - 0.15 Hz.
Change from pre-treatment of autonomic nervous system data from elite hrv device and at the end of the 8 weeks after treatment.

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Ümit Erkut, PhD(c),PT, Bahçeşehir University
  • Study Chair: Dilber Karagozoglu Coskunsu, PhD,PT, Fernerbahce University
  • Study Chair: Ali Veysel Ozden, PhD,MD, Bahçeşehir University
  • Study Chair: Kubra Erkut, PT, Kurbaa Egitim Danısmanlık

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

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)

January 10, 2022

Primary Completion (Actual)

January 5, 2023

Study Completion (Anticipated)

January 15, 2023

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 24, 2022

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 24, 2022

First Posted (Actual)

August 26, 2022

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

January 9, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 5, 2023

Last Verified

January 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

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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