None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
In 2008 in Western Australia (WA) there were 30,234 babies born. Pregnancy is a period when the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) are stretched and weakened which may lead to PFM dysfunction causing urinary incontinence. During pregnancy PFM exercises are the recommended treatment to strengthen the PFM and reduce the risk of developing urinary incontinence. Accordingly, pregnant women are encouraged to attend antenatal education which typically includes information on the function and facilitation of the PFM. This study will examine the effect of providing web-based education on pelvic PFM function and PFM exercises for pregnant women in WA. The pregnant women will be evaluated on the knowledge, awareness, intention, self-efficacy and adherence to the PFM exercises. If pregnant women can successfully use web-based PFM education during pregnancy then people with PFM dysfunction and incontinence can be guided to an appropriate evidence-based website. This may improve quality of life for women. Hypotheses: H0: There will be no difference in awareness and knowledge gained on the function of PFM in pregnant women who undertake a web-based PFM intervention programme compared to pregnant women who only receive usual care in WA H1: There will be an increase in awareness and knowledge gained on the function of PFM in pregnant women who undertake a web-based PFM intervention programme compared to pregnant women who only receive usual care in WA H0: There will be no difference in confidence and motivation to engage in PFM exercises in pregnant women who undertake a web-based PFM intervention programme compared to pregnant women who only receive usual care H1: There will be an increase in confidence and motivation to engage in PFM exercises in pregnant women who undertake a web-based PFM intervention programme compared to pregnant women who only receive usual care H0: There will be no difference in adherence with PFM exercises by pregnant women who undertake a web-based, PFM exercises intervention programme and pregnant women who only receive usual care in rural WA H1: There will be an increase in adherence with PFM exercises by pregnant women who undertake a web-based, PFM exercises intervention programme and pregnant women who only receive usual care in rural WA
Interventions
Intervention is a web-based PFM education programme designed by a physiotherapist specialised in women's health. The programme information is based on current recommendations from research and designed to raise pregnant women's knowledge and awareness of PFM and encourage participation in PFM exercise programme. There will be 2 Arms. Arm 1 will receive the 5 minute web-based education via a link on the Internet and usual care. Arm 2 will only receive usual care. Usual care is the standard a
Intervention is a web-based PFM education programme designed by a physiotherapist specialised in women's health. The programme information is based on current recommendations from research and designed to raise pregnant women's knowledge and awareness of PFM and encourage participation in PFM exercise programme. There will be 2 Arms. Arm 1 will receive the 5 minute web-based education via a link on the Internet and usual care. Arm 2 will only receive usual care. Usual care is the standard antenatal health care recommended by the Department of Health for pregnant women living in Australia. Usual care does not prohibit women from participating in any education or exercise programmes unless specified by a health care provider as being contra-indicated during an individual's pregnancy. Arm 1 will receive the intervention at 20 weeks (+/- 1) gestation and be requested to watch the 5 minute web-based education via a link on the Internet, twice. Both Arms will answer a post-intervention questionnaire at 35 weeks (+/- 1) gestation.
Sponsors
The University of Notre Dame Australia (Fremantle Campus)
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 44 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
21 weeks (+/-1) gestation Women who have low levels of knowledge of PFM function and facilitation as measured on a Likert Type Scale Not planning to have a caesarean section Sufficient levels of English to respond to the pre-intervention survey
Exclusion criteria
Diagnosed with a neurological condition eg Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebrovascular Accident, Acquired Brian Injury Bed rest prescribed by a doctor
Outcome results
None listed