Study of Pre-Rehabilitation Pelvic Health Physical Therapy and Vaginal Dilator Education for Women Undergoing Pelvic Radiotherapy for Gynecological and Anal Cancers

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to explore the feasibility of adding pelvic health physical therapy before radiation treatment for women diagnosed with cervical, vaginal, vulvar, uterine, or anal cancer who are candidates for curative pelvic external beam radiation. The study focuses on addressing side effects like pelvic pain and painful intercourse, which can affect quality of life after treatment. It seeks to understand challenges and benefits of coordinating pelvic health therapy with standard radiation care. Participants will receive education on using a vaginal dilator, a device designed to help maintain vaginal canal openness and stretch pelvic floor muscles, during their radiation treatment. The study combines pelvic health therapy involving assessments and vaginal dilator education with standard radiation therapy, delivered in collaboration between physical therapists and radiation oncology staff. Treatment includes physical therapy evaluations, questionnaires, and ongoing support throughout the radiation period. During the study, participants will complete questionnaires on pain and sexual function at various points including immediately after radiation and up to 16 weeks post-treatment. Researchers will monitor adherence to vaginal dilator use and assess pelvic pain using a pain rating scale. The main outcome is to evaluate the feasibility of this pre-rehabilitation approach alongside radiation therapy. The total participation duration covers baseline through several follow-up assessments over months after radiation.

Pre-Rehabilitation for Female Patients Undergoing Pelvic Radiotherapy