Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy After Pelvic Radiation for Women with Cervical Cancer Phase II Study to Evaluate Fecal Incontinence and Quality of Life

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the effects of pelvic floor physical therapy in women undergoing pelvic external beam radiation therapy for cervical cancer. This phase II single-arm study aims to evaluate the rate of fecal incontinence three months after radiation therapy in women treated for gynecologic cancers. The main focus is to assess how pelvic floor therapy might impact complications like fecal incontinence using a validated survey tool. Participants will receive pelvic floor physical therapy starting four weeks after completing radiation treatment. The therapy includes two one-hour sessions spaced four weeks apart, focusing on pelvic floor muscle training, dilator training, and education provided by a specialized physical therapist. This intervention is offered to 28 women undergoing definitive pelvic radiation. During the study, participants will undergo assessments including surveys measuring fecal and urinary incontinence, sexual symptoms, quality of life, and pelvic floor muscle function at baseline and three months post-radiation. Researchers will also monitor adherence to dilator use through self-reports. The total study duration for each participant encompasses treatment completion, therapy sessions, and follow-up evaluations at three months to assess outcomes and safety.

Early Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Women Undergoing Pelvic Radiation for Gynecologic Malignancies