What is pelvic floor yoga studying for chronic pelvic pain syndrome?

Pelvic floor yoga is being studied to see how it compares with physical conditioning in reducing pelvic pain and improving quality of life for women with chronic pelvic pain syndrome. The University of California, San Francisco is leading this research to explore non-drug approaches that may help manage symptoms.

Who may be eligible for this chronic pelvic pain syndrome clinical trial?

Women aged 18 or older with chronic or recurrent pelvic pain lasting at least 6 months may be eligible. Participants must have had a clinical evaluation for their pain and be willing to avoid new treatments during the study. This trial is for women or non-binary individuals assigned female at birth. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this chronic pelvic pain syndrome clinical trial?

Study-related care, including the study classes and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. However, personal travel or internet expenses may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 18Years +

FEMALE

ID06778070

A Study Comparing Remote Pelvic Floor Yoga and Physical Conditioning for Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

Led by University of California, San Francisco · Updated on 2026-03-06

220

Participants Needed

Research Sites

8 weeks

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of two fully remote, videoconference-based programs for women experiencing chronic pelvic pain syndrome. This randomized, parallel-group, investigator-blinded trial compares a pelvic floor yoga program with a physical conditioning program to understand which approach may better reduce pelvic pain and improve related symptoms. Participants will join either an 8-week pelvic floor yoga program or an 8-week physical conditioning program, both delivered as group classes twice weekly via Zoom. Each class lasts 75 minutes and includes 6-10 participants led by trained instructors. After the initial 8 weeks, optional once-weekly 75-minute group classes continue for another 8 weeks to support maintenance. During the study, women will report their pelvic pain intensity using numerical rating scales and complete questionnaires measuring psychological impact, sexual function, pain interference, stress, and sleep quality. These assessments occur over the 4-month intervention period, covering both instruction and maintenance phases. The research team will monitor these outcomes to compare the two programs effects on chronic pelvic pain and related quality of life.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

National Program to Overcome Pelvic Pain studY (POPPY)

How This Trial Compares With Other Options

This table compares participation in this trial with other options available for this condition. The information is drawn from published research and the trial’s study details and is provided for educational purposes only.

Factors	Pelvic floor yoga	Physical conditioning (stretching & strengthening)	Standard conservative management
What the approach is	A supervised, fully remote videoconference‑based pelvic floor yoga program delivered by video	A structured skeletal muscle stretching and strengthening program delivered by video	Multimodal conservative physical therapy (e.g. manual therapy, tailored exercises, education)
Role in trial	Investigational arm being evaluated	Active comparator arm	Represents guideline‑based usual conservative care for comparison
Primary use or purpose	To reduce pelvic pain intensity through pelvic floor–focused yoga	To reduce pelvic pain via stretching and strengthening of muscle groups	Recommended to alleviate chronic pelvic pain through tailored physical therapy approaches
How it is given or done	Delivered remotely via videoconference, instruction and maintenance over about 4 months	Delivered remotely via videoconference, structured stretching and strengthening over about 4 months	Typically delivered in‑person by pelvic health physical therapists using manual techniques, exercise instruction, and pain education over multiple sessions
Evidence status	Under study; trial will measure pain reduction over 4 months	Under study; trial will measure pain reduction over 4 months	Supported by moderate‑certainty evidence to reduce pelvic pain symptoms
Important risks or side effects	Not yet established; safety profile will be assessed during trial	Not yet established; safety profile will be assessed during trial	Generally well tolerated with low risk when guided by trained therapists
Important limitations	Effectiveness in remote delivery has not been established; relies on participant technology access	Effectiveness when delivered remotely compared to in‑person is untested; relies on participant ability to perform exercises correctly	Access to pelvic health physical therapy may be limited by provider availability or reimbursement
Patient‑relevant impact	Not yet known; trial will assess pain change and quality‑of‑life outcomes	Not yet known; trial will assess pain change and functional and quality‑of‑life outcomes	Evidence supports symptom improvement and enhanced daily function with conservative therapy

Disclaimer: This comparison is created with the help of artificial intelligence(AI) and may contain errors or missing information. It is not medical advice and does not mean one option is better or safer than another. Clinical trials are still being studied, and joining a trial is your choice. Please consult your healthcare professional before making any decisions.

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years +

FEMALE

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Women (including those assigned female at birth who identify as women or non-binary) aged 18 years or older
Have chronic or recurrent pelvic pain lasting at least 6 months
Report at least moderate pain intensity based on screening logs
Have had a clinical evaluation of pelvic pain including a superficial pelvic exam
Willing to avoid starting new treatments that may affect pain during the study period

You will not qualify if you...

Pelvic pain only during menstruation or sexual intercourse, without pain at other times
Participation in yoga or muscle strengthening classes (like Pilates) in past 4 weeks or prior pelvic pain yoga therapy
Lack of access to broadband internet or a Zoom-compatible device with a screen of at least 7 inches (device loans may be available)
Currently pregnant, recently pregnant within 12 weeks, or planning pregnancy during the study
Diagnosed with a reversible pelvic pain cause needing other treatments (e.g., infection, dermatosis)
Recent or upcoming surgery or radiation to pelvic/genital area within 12 weeks
Recent changes (within 4 weeks) in medications affecting pelvic pain, except stable doses
Use or planned use of psychological therapies for pelvic pain within 4 weeks
Unable to walk up stairs or 2 blocks or stand up from lying down without help
Participation in conflicting interventional studies or scheduling conflicts
Inability to understand consent or complete study forms
Serious physical or mental conditions interfering with participation (e.g., advanced dementia, uncontrolled substance use, life expectancy under 6 months)

Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 screening and enrollment visit (in-person or virtual)

Treatment

Duration - Up to 4 months (8-week instruction period plus 8-week maintenance period)

Participants attend twice-weekly 75-minute group classes for 8 weeks, either pelvic floor yoga or physical conditioning, delivered via secure Zoom videoconference. Following this instruction period, optional once-weekly 75-minute drop-in group classes are offered for an additional 8 weeks to maintain the intervention.

Twice-weekly classes for 8 weeks, then optional once-weekly classes for 8 weeks

Research Team

Alison Huang, MD, MAS, MPhil

Carolyn Gibson, PhD

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

SINGLE

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Model

PARALLEL

Primary Purpose

TREATMENT

Number of Arms

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Frequently Asked Questions

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A Study Comparing Remote Pelvic Floor Yoga and Physical Conditioning for Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

On this page

Sponsors

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Brief Title

How This Trial Compares With Other Options

Who Can Participate

Eligibility Criteria

Your Study Journey

Research Team

How is the study designed?

Similar Trials

Phase III Trial of Jincaopian Tablets for Treating Chronic P...

Study of Acupuncture as Part of Multimodal Treatment for Wom...

Using the SOMA Smartphone App to Track Mood and Pain Changes...

Frequently Asked Questions

What is pelvic floor yoga studying for chronic pelvic pain syndrome?

Who may be eligible for this chronic pelvic pain syndrome clinical trial?

Is there any cost to participate in this chronic pelvic pain syndrome clinical trial?

Will I receive pelvic floor yoga or a physical conditioning program?

How will pelvic pain be measured during the trial?

What happens after this chronic pelvic pain syndrome clinical trial ends?

Can I leave this chronic pelvic pain syndrome clinical trial if I change my mind?

Not the Right Trial for You?

On this page

Sponsors

Sponsors

How This Trial Compares With Other Options

Who Can Participate

Eligibility Criteria

Your Study Journey

How is the study designed?

Similar Trials

Phase III Trial of Jincaopian Tablets for Treating Chronic P...

Study of Acupuncture as Part of Multimodal Treatment for Wom...

Using the SOMA Smartphone App to Track Mood and Pain Changes...

Frequently Asked Questions

What is pelvic floor yoga studying for chronic pelvic pain syndrome?

Who may be eligible for this chronic pelvic pain syndrome clinical trial?

Is there any cost to participate in this chronic pelvic pain syndrome clinical trial?

Will I receive pelvic floor yoga or a physical conditioning program?

How will pelvic pain be measured during the trial?

What happens after this chronic pelvic pain syndrome clinical trial ends?

Can I leave this chronic pelvic pain syndrome clinical trial if I change my mind?

Sponsors