Effect of Pilates and Kegel Exercises During Pregnancy

Completed

• Conditions: Pregnancy

• Registration Number: NCT06869538
• Lead Sponsor: Hitit University

Brief Summary

Urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence are common health problems in the postpartum period because of their effect on daily life and are likely to reduce quality of life. It is known that the most effective way to protect from UI during pregnancy and the postpartum period is pelvic floor muscle exercise. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Pilates and Kegel exercises applied during pregnancy on the quality of life of urinary and fecal incontinence in the postpartum period.

Detailed Description

In this study; the effects of pilates and kegel exercises on urinary and fecal incontinence of pregnant women in the 1st and 3rd months postpartum are investigated and which of the applied pilates and kegel exercises is more effective on urinary and fecal quality of life.67 pregnant women with a mean age of 27.29±3.27 years participated in the study. Pilates exercise group (PEG, n=24), Kegel exercise group (KEG, n=22), and Control group (CG, n=21) were formed with the purposeful method. PEG exercise programs were applied for 8 weeks, 2 days a week, 40 minutes, and KEG for 8 weeks, 4 days a week, 3 sessions per day. The groups were applied the International Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form, Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life Scale, Wexner Continence Assessment Scale, and Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale at 1st. and 3rd. months postpartum

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2021-06-15
• Primary Completion: 2021-11-05
• Study Completion: 2022-02-13
• Study First Submitted: 2025-02-08
• Status Verified: 2025-03
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-03-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-05
• Study First Posted: 2025-03-11
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-11

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 67

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

• Not being between the ages of 18-38,
• Having a condition that prevents exercise,
• Not being in the 1st and 2nd trimesters of pregnancy,
• Leaving scale items blank, and having a cesarean section.

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Baseline Anthropometric Measurements (Weight, Height, BMI)	2021 june	Baseline meausurement ( 1 week) Participants will be evaluated at baseline. Data collection refers to anthropometric parameters (Weight, height and BMI. BMI BMI will calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height squared (kg/m2) in meters
Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (I-QOL)-Baseline and Follow-up Measurements	June 2021 (Baseline) and 1st and 3rd months postpartum	Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (I-QOL) - Evaluates the quality of life related to urinary incontinence.; Description: Evaluates the quality of life related to urinary incontinence. This scale was applied at baseline and at the 1st and 3rd months postpartum.; Minimum Value: 0 (Poor quality of life) Maximum Value: 100 (High quality of life) Higher Scores Indicate: Better quality of life Data Aggregation: Mean ± SD and comparison of scores between groups using ANOVA.
Effect of an 8-Week Exercise Intervention on Urinary and Fecal Incontinence - Measured by ICIQ-UI Short Form and Wexner Continence Assessment Scale	Baseline (June 2021), Post-intervention (August 2021), and Follow-up at 1st and 3rd months postpartum.	This measure evaluates the effect of an 8-week exercise intervention on urinary and fecal incontinence in pregnant women. Urinary incontinence severity will be assessed using the ICIQ-UI SF, and fecal incontinence using the Wexner Scale at baseline, post-intervention (8 weeks), and 1st and 3rd months postpartum.; Participants are divided into two groups: Pilates Group (PEG): Performed Pilates twice a week, 40 minutes per session, for 8 weeks, using a mini ball, resistance band, and Pilates ring.; Kegel Group (KEG): Performed Kegel exercises 4 days a week, 3 sessions per day, for 8 weeks, involving controlled pelvic floor contractions and relaxations.; Measurement Tools: Urinary Incontinence: ICIQ-UI SF Fecal Incontinence: Wexner Scale
International Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form Score (ICIQ-SF) - Urinary Incontinence Impact	2021 September 2021 November	Description: Assesses the impact of urinary incontinence on daily life. Minimum Value: 0 (No impact) Maximum Value: 21 (Severe impact) Higher Scores Indicate: Worse quality of life Data Aggregation: Mean ± SD and comparison of groups using repeated measures ANOVA, paired t-test for pre- and post-intervention comparison.
Wexner Continence Assessment Scale Score - Fecal Incontinence Severity	September 2021 - November 2021	Description: Measures the severity of fecal incontinence. Minimum Value: 0 (Complete continence) Maximum Value: 20 (Complete incontinence) Higher Scores Indicate: Worse fecal incontinence Data Aggregation: Mean ± SD and comparison of groups using repeated measures ANOVA, paired t-test for pre- and post-intervention comparison.
Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQL) Score	September 2021 - November 2021	Description: Assesses the quality of life related to fecal incontinence. Minimum Value: 1 (Poor quality of life) Maximum Value: 5 (High quality of life) Higher Scores Indicate: Better quality of life Data Aggregation: Mean ± SD and comparison of groups using repeated measures ANOVA, paired t-test for pre- and post-intervention comparison

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hitit University; 🇹🇷 Corum, Central, Turkey