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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06869538

Effect of Pilates and Kegel Exercises During Pregnancy

Urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence are common health problems in the postpartum period because of their effect on daily life and are likely to reduce quality of life. It is known that the most effective way to protect from UI during pregnancy and the postpartum period is pelvic floor muscle exercise. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Pilates and Kegel exercises applied during pregnancy on the quality of life of urinary and fecal incontinence in the postpartum period.

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Key information

Conditions

Pregnancy Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Elimination Disorders Enuresis Female Urogenital Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Male Urogenital Diseases Mental Disorders Motor Activity Nocturnal Enuresis Urination Disorders Urogenital Diseases Urologic Diseases

Age range

18 year–38 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Hitit University

Çorum, Central, 19030, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

In this study; the effects of pilates and kegel exercises on urinary and fecal incontinence of pregnant women in the 1st and 3rd months postpartum are investigated and which of the applied pilates and kegel exercises is more effective on urinary and fecal quality of life.67 pregnant women with a mean age of 27.29±3.27 years participated in the study. Pilates exercise group (PEG, n=24), Kegel exercise group (KEG, n=22), and Control group (CG, n=21) were formed with the purposeful method. PEG exercise programs were applied for 8 weeks, 2 days a week, 40 minutes, and KEG for 8 weeks, 4 days a week, 3 sessions per day. The groups were applied the International Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form, Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life Scale, Wexner Continence Assessment Scale, and Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale at 1st. and 3rd. months postpartum

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclucision Criteria

  • Being between the ages of 18-38 years,
  • Not having a condition that prevents exercise,
  • Being in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy,
  • Voluntarily accepting to participate in the study, a
  • Answering each of the scale items,
  • Having a vaginal (normal) birth.

Exclusion criteria

  • Not being between the ages of 18-38,
  • Having a condition that prevents exercise,
  • Not being in the 1st and 2nd trimesters of pregnancy,
  • Leaving scale items blank, and having a cesarean section.

Treatment and study plan

Exercise

Other

For the Pilates exercises, a Pilates instructor created movements (squeeze mini ball, stretch hoop, circle with large ball, back and forth with large ball, and squat) in the gymnasium of the pregnancy school for 8 weeks, 2 days a week. Auxiliary equipment (mini ball, resistance band, Pilates ring) was used. Kegel exercises were performed 4 days a week, 3 sessions a day for 8 weeks.

Primary outcomes

  1. Baseline Anthropometric Measurements (Weight, Height, BMI)

    Time frame: 2021 june

    Baseline meausurement ( 1 week) Participants will be evaluated at baseline. Data collection refers to anthropometric parameters (Weight, height and BMI. BMI BMI will calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height squared (kg/m2) in meters

  2. Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (I-QOL)-Baseline and Follow-up Measurements

    Time frame: June 2021 (Baseline) and 1st and 3rd months postpartum

    Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (I-QOL) - Evaluates the quality of life related to urinary incontinence.

    Description: Evaluates the quality of life related to urinary incontinence. This scale was applied at baseline and at the 1st and 3rd months postpartum.

    Minimum Value: 0 (Poor quality of life) Maximum Value: 100 (High quality of life) Higher Scores Indicate: Better quality of life Data Aggregation: Mean ± SD and comparison of scores between groups using ANOVA.

  3. Effect of an 8-Week Exercise Intervention on Urinary and Fecal Incontinence - Measured by ICIQ-UI Short Form and Wexner Continence Assessment Scale

    Time frame: Baseline (June 2021), Post-intervention (August 2021), and Follow-up at 1st and 3rd months postpartum.

    This measure evaluates the effect of an 8-week exercise intervention on urinary and fecal incontinence in pregnant women. Urinary incontinence severity will be assessed using the ICIQ-UI SF, and fecal incontinence using the Wexner Scale at baseline, post-intervention (8 weeks), and 1st and 3rd months postpartum.

    Participants are divided into two groups:

    Pilates Group (PEG): Performed Pilates twice a week, 40 minutes per session, for 8 weeks, using a mini ball, resistance band, and Pilates ring.

    Kegel Group (KEG): Performed Kegel exercises 4 days a week, 3 sessions per day, for 8 weeks, involving controlled pelvic floor contractions and relaxations.

    Measurement Tools:

    Urinary Incontinence: ICIQ-UI SF Fecal Incontinence: Wexner Scale

  4. International Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form Score (ICIQ-SF) - Urinary Incontinence Impact

    Time frame: 2021 September 2021 November

    Description: Assesses the impact of urinary incontinence on daily life. Minimum Value: 0 (No impact) Maximum Value: 21 (Severe impact) Higher Scores Indicate: Worse quality of life Data Aggregation: Mean ± SD and comparison of groups using repeated measures ANOVA, paired t-test for pre- and post-intervention comparison.

  5. Wexner Continence Assessment Scale Score - Fecal Incontinence Severity

    Time frame: September 2021 - November 2021

    Description: Measures the severity of fecal incontinence. Minimum Value: 0 (Complete continence) Maximum Value: 20 (Complete incontinence) Higher Scores Indicate: Worse fecal incontinence Data Aggregation: Mean ± SD and comparison of groups using repeated measures ANOVA, paired t-test for pre- and post-intervention comparison.

  6. Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQL) Score

    Time frame: September 2021 - November 2021

    Description: Assesses the quality of life related to fecal incontinence. Minimum Value: 1 (Poor quality of life) Maximum Value: 5 (High quality of life) Higher Scores Indicate: Better quality of life Data Aggregation: Mean ± SD and comparison of groups using repeated measures ANOVA, paired t-test for pre- and post-intervention comparison

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Hitit University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Pilates and Kegel Exercises During Pregnancy on Postpartum Urinary and Fecal Incontinence and Women's Quality of Life

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2022
First posted
Mar 11, 2025
Registry last updated
Mar 11, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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