Stress urinary incontinence in pregnant women: a review of prevalence, pathophysiology, and treatment.
Bussara Sangsawang, Nucharee Sangsawang
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23436035Actively Recruiting
Phase Not Applicable
Age: 20Years - 40Years
FEMALE
ID07520396
Combined Effects of Swiss Ball Exercises and Diaphragmatic Breathing on Stress Urinary Incontinence, Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength and Quality of Life in Pregnant Females
Led by Riphah International University · Updated on 2026-04-09
42
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Stress urinary incontinence affects 30 to 60 percent of pregnant women, depending on factors like pregnancy trimester, number of previous births, and body weight. It causes involuntary urine leakage during activities such as coughing or exercising due to increased pressure inside the abdomen and weakened pelvic floor muscles. This condition is common but often underreported, and awareness and management remain limited. Strengthening pelvic floor muscles is important, and Swiss ball exercises offer a gentle way to improve core stability and muscle strength, potentially benefiting physical and mental health during pregnancy. This randomized controlled trial will involve pregnant women with stress urinary incontinence at two hospitals. A total of 42 participants will be randomly divided into two groups. Group A will complete a 6-week program with 12 sessions of Swiss ball exercises combined with diaphragmatic breathing. Group B will do the same Swiss ball exercises without diaphragmatic breathing. Both groups will also practice Kegel exercises as a baseline treatment. Exercises include wall squats, pelvic tilts, bridging with legs on the ball, and ball squeezes, done in sets with breathing techniques in the experimental group. Participants will attend sessions 3 to 4 times per week for about 20 to 25 minutes each. Researchers will assess stress urinary incontinence symptoms using questionnaires, measure pelvic floor muscle strength with standardized tools, and evaluate quality of life with validated questionnaires after 8 weeks. Data will be analyzed to compare outcomes between the two groups. The study aims to understand how combining diaphragmatic breathing with Swiss ball exercises impacts urinary symptoms, muscle strength, and quality of life during pregnancy.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Combined Effects of Swiss Ball Exercises and Diaphragmatic Breathing in Pregnant Females
Who Can Participate
Age: 20Years - 40Years
FEMALE
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Females with singleton pregnancy
- Females with urinary incontinence
- Age range between 20-40 years
- Females diagnosed with mild to moderate stress urinary incontinence
- Females with weak pelvic floor muscles
You will not qualify if you...
- Females who are not pregnant
- Females with a history of hysterectomy
- Females with placenta previa
- Females with urinary tract infection
- Females with preterm labor
- Females with pelvic organ prolapse
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Treatment
Duration - 6 weeks
Participants undergo 12 sessions of moderate intensity Swiss ball exercises over 6 weeks, with one group also performing diaphragmatic breathing exercises during the sessions to strengthen pelvic floor muscles and improve symptoms of stress urinary incontinence.
3 to 4 sessions per week
Follow-up
Duration - 2 weeks
Participants complete assessments including questionnaires and muscle strength testing to evaluate the effects of the interventions on stress urinary incontinence and quality of life.
1 visit for outcome assessments
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Itefaq Hospital and Zia Hospital
Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 54000
Actively Recruiting
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Research Team
I
imran amjad, phd
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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Published Research Related To This Trial
Quality of life in women with stress urinary incontinence.
Sharon L Tennstedt, Mary Pat Fitzgerald, Charles W Nager...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17036169The effects of a static exercise programme versus Swiss ball training for core muscles of the lower back and pelvic region in patients with low back pain after child delivery. A single blind randomized control trial.
Hadiqa Adnan, Misbah Ghous, Syed Shakil Ur Rehman...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34125743