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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07702565

Exercise-Based Sensorimotor Physiotherapy for Postpartum Pelvic Health and Functional Recovery

This study evaluated whether a 12-week exercise-based sensorimotor physiotherapy program could improve pelvic health and functional recovery in postpartum women. Participants were women aged 18-40 years who were between 6 weeks and 6 months after a singleton delivery. They were randomly assigned to either a sensorimotor physiotherapy group or a control group. The physiotherapy group received supervised exercises targeting pelvic floor activation, lumbopelvic motor control, sensory re-education, proprioceptive training, functional stabilization, and biofeedback-assisted training. The control group received standard postpartum education and home advice.

The main outcomes were pelvic motor control and perineal sensory function. Other outcomes included pelvic floor muscle strength, urinary symptoms, pelvic distress, core endurance, postural stability, pain intensity, and health-related quality of life. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24. The study aimed to determine whether structured sensorimotor physiotherapy provides greater benefits than standard postpartum advice and whether recovery patterns differ according to vaginal or cesarean delivery.

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Key information

Conditions

Postpartum Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Lumbopelvic Motor Control Impairment Perineal Sensory Dysfunction Postpartum Functional Recovery Postpartum Urinary Incontinence

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Kayseri University

Kayseri, 38130, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This was a prospective, single-center, assessor-blinded, stratified, parallel-group randomized controlled trial conducted in postpartum women. The study was designed to evaluate the effects of a structured 12-week exercise-based sensorimotor physiotherapy program on postpartum pelvic health, lumbopelvic motor control, sensory function, and functional recovery.

Eligible postpartum women were stratified according to delivery mode, vaginal delivery or cesarean delivery, and then randomly allocated to either the Sensorimotor Physiotherapy Group or the Control Group. The intervention group received supervised individual physiotherapy sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks, together with a structured home exercise program. The intervention included pelvic floor activation, lumbopelvic motor control training, proprioceptive exercises, sensory re-education, functional stabilization, and surface electromyography-assisted biofeedback. The control group received standard postpartum education and general home advice.

Outcome assessments were performed at baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24 by blinded assessors. The primary focus was to determine whether the sensorimotor physiotherapy program improved pelvic motor control and perineal sensory function compared with standard postpartum advice. Secondary outcomes were used to evaluate broader functional and patient-reported recovery, including pelvic floor strength, urinary symptoms, pelvic distress, core endurance, postural stability, pain intensity, and health-related quality of life. Delivery mode was examined as an exploratory factor that could influence recovery patterns.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Women aged 18-40 years.
  • Postpartum women between 6 weeks and 6 months after delivery.
  • Singleton delivery.
  • Vaginal delivery or cesarean delivery.
  • Ability to understand and perform the required assessment procedures.
  • Ability to participate in the exercise-based intervention procedures.
  • Provision of written informed consent before enrollment.

Exclusion criteria

  • Third- or fourth-degree perineal tears.
  • Pelvic organ prolapse stage II or higher according to the POP-Q classification.
  • Active urinary tract infection or genital infection.
  • Previous pelvic or abdominal surgery unrelated to cesarean delivery.
  • Neurological conditions affecting lumbopelvic motor control.
  • Musculoskeletal conditions affecting lumbopelvic motor control.
  • Chronic pelvic pain syndromes.
  • Psychiatric disorders limiting participation.
  • Participation in structured physiotherapy or pelvic rehabilitation within the preceding 6 months.

Treatment and study plan

Exercise-Based Sensorimotor Physiotherapy Program

Behavioral

A 12-week physiotherapist-led exercise-based sensorimotor physiotherapy program delivered individually twice weekly for approximately 45 minutes per session. The program included pelvic floor activation, diaphragmatic breathing, lumbopelvic motor control training, abdominal-pelvic floor synergy exercises, proprioceptive training, tactile discrimination tasks, sensory re-education, functional stabilization, task-specific training, and surface electromyography-assisted biofeedback. Participants also completed a structured home exercise program for 15-20 minutes per day, five days per week.

Other names: Sensorimotor Physiotherapy

Standard Postpartum Education and Home Advice

Other

A standard postpartum education and home advice program including information on postpartum anatomy, posture correction, bladder care, and general pelvic floor exercises. Participants received a printed home exercise leaflet and two telephone contacts at weeks 4 and 8 to encourage continuation of general advice. No supervised physiotherapy, individualized exercise progression, biofeedback, or structured sensorimotor training was provided.

Other names: Standard Postpartum Advice

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Pelvic Motor Control Composite Score

    Time frame: Baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24

    Pelvic motor control was assessed using the Pelvic Motor Control Composite Score, an experimental composite index derived from surface electromyography-based parameters including normalized root mean square amplitude, onset latency, relaxation time, and contraction intermittency. Higher scores indicate better lumbopelvic motor control.

  2. Change in Perineal Sensory Function

    Time frame: Baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24

    Perineal sensory function was assessed using pressure detection threshold measured with a calibrated handheld algometer and two-point discrimination measured with a precision caliper. Lower values indicate better sensory responsiveness and tactile discrimination.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength

    Time frame: Baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24

    Pelvic floor muscle strength was assessed using the Modified Oxford Scale and the PERFECT scheme. Higher scores indicate greater pelvic floor muscle strength and function.

  2. Change in Urinary Incontinence Severity

    Time frame: Baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24

    Urinary incontinence severity was assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form. Higher scores indicate greater urinary incontinence severity.

  3. Change in Pelvic Floor Distress

    Time frame: Baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24

    Pelvic floor-related distress was assessed using the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20. Higher scores indicate greater pelvic floor symptom-related distress.

  4. Change in Pelvic Floor Impact on Daily Function

    Time frame: Baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24

    The functional impact of pelvic floor symptoms was assessed using the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7. Higher scores indicate greater negative impact of pelvic floor symptoms on daily activities and quality of life.

  5. Change in Core Endurance

    Time frame: Baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24

    Core endurance was assessed using prone plank and side plank duration. Longer duration indicates better core endurance.

  6. Change in Postural Stability

    Time frame: Baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24

    Postural stability was assessed using center-of-pressure displacement during stabilometry. Lower center-of-pressure displacement or sway area indicates better postural stability.

  7. Change in Pain Intensity

    Time frame: Baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24

    Pain intensity was assessed using a 0-10 visual analogue scale. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.

  8. Change in Health-Related Quality of Life

    Time frame: Baseline, week 6, week 12, and week 24

    Health-related quality of life was assessed using the 12-item Short Form Health Survey version 2. Higher scores indicate better perceived health-related quality of life.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Özge BAYKAN ÇOPUROĞLU

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of a 12-Week Exercise-Based Sensorimotor Physiotherapy Program on Postpartum Pelvic Health and Functional Recovery: A Stratified Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 14, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 14, 2026

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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