Actively Recruiting
Comparison of Rehabilitation Exercise Protocol (5R) and Swiss Ball Training for Postpartum Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction
Led by Rafia Abrar · Updated on 2026-03-17
88
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
4 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Postpartum pelvic floor muscle dysfunction is a common condition affecting many women after childbirth. Weakness or impairment of the pelvic floor muscles can lead to symptoms such as urinary incontinence, pelvic discomfort, and reduced quality of life. Rehabilitation exercises targeting pelvic floor muscles are widely used to restore muscle strength and improve functional outcomes. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of a structured Rehabilitation Exercise Protocol (5R) with Swiss ball training in improving pelvic floor muscle function among postpartum women diagnosed with pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. The 5R protocol focuses on progressive rehabilitation strategies including relaxation, recruitment, resistance, repetition, and recovery of pelvic floor muscles. Swiss ball training involves exercises performed on a stability ball that aim to enhance core stability, pelvic control, and muscular coordination. Eligible postpartum women with pelvic floor muscle dysfunction will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive the structured 5R rehabilitation exercise protocol, while the other group will participate in Swiss ball training exercises. Both interventions will be performed for a specified duration under the supervision of trained physiotherapists. Outcome measures will assess pelvic floor muscle strength, functional improvement, and symptom severity before and after the intervention period. The findings of this study may help determine the most effective rehabilitation strategy for improving pelvic floor muscle function and promoting recovery in postpartum women.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Comparison of Rehabilitation Exercise Protocol (5R) and Swiss Ball Training for Postpartum Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Females aged 20 to 40 years who have given birth within the last 6 months (normal deliveries)
- Includes both normal and cesarean deliveries
- Includes primiparous and multiparous women
- Women willing to participate in study
- Confirmed pelvic floor dysfunction
- Self-report of urinary incontinence (stress or urge) occurring at least once per week
You will not qualify if you...
- Women with high-risk pregnancies or postpartum complications such as severe preeclampsia or postpartum hemorrhage
- Participants with diagnosed musculoskeletal or neurological disorders affecting movement
- History of pelvic surgery or severe musculoskeletal disorders
- Women with diastasis recti exceeding a clinically significant threshold
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore
Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 54000
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
R
Rafia Abrar, MSPTW
CONTACT
M
Montiha Azeem, MSPTN
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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