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Pilates and the Pelvic Floor: A Quasi-experimental Study

The Effects of the Pilates Method on Pelvic Floor Injuries During Pregnancy and Childbirth: A Quasi-experimental Study

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04431102
Enrollment
72
Registered
2020-06-16
Start date
2018-11-05
Completion date
2019-12-27
Last updated
2020-06-17

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Episiotomy Wound, Perineum; Injury, Pilates Method, Pregnancy

Keywords

Nursing, Midwifery, Nurse, Pilates Method, Pelvic floor, Injuries, Episiotomy, Pregnancy

Brief summary

In this paper, it is postulates that in pregnant women, the practice of PM led by a qualified professional for a period of four weeks can reduce the incidence of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) by decreasing the number of birth injuries.

Detailed description

It is postulated that in pregnang women, the practice of PM can reduce the severity of birth injuries. Our main objective was to determine the effectiveness of a PM program to reduce the incidence and degree of intrapartum perineal injuries as a way to reduce the incidence of female PFD. Secondary objectives were: Assess the role of a MP program on the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Determine the effect of a MP program on body weight (BMI). It is a parallel group clinical trial with an allocation ratio of 1:2. All pregnant women will be informed about the nature of the clinical trial. There will be no differences in the pregnant´s follow-up because it will be performed by two same Pilates monitor with the same formation. Once the pregnant women is assigned to an arm of the study, those assigned to the intervention group will be sent to the Pilates monitor to explain and initiate the exercise of MP program while the control group will be informed to maintain their usual monitoring of pregnancy. In the initial visit, the type of physical activity will be evaluated by filling in the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ).

Interventions

It is intended that the Pilates program have a duration of four weeks and its realization does not suppose an excessive consumption of resources. Therefore, it must have a series of characteristics: low supervision and easily realizable by all patients, which implies flexibility in the schedule. In this sense the sessions of Pilates is adjusted to these assumptions and the Pilates monitor offers several schedules on diferent days of week. The pregnant women assigned to the intervention group will be supervised by the midwifery of reference and trained by a Pilates monitor who will explain the training program and resolve the doubts raised by the women. The therapeutic control will be carried out by telephone call and clinical history review between the eighth and tenth day.

Sponsors

University of Huelva
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Intervention model description

The professionals who assessed the progress of labor in the delivery room and completed the medical history did not know whether the woman belonged to the intervention or the control group.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* To go to the Maternal Education program. * Give your written consent to participate in the study. * Singleton pregnancy. * Low-risk pregnancy. * No contraindication to physical exercise. * Age equals or more than 18 years old. Excusion Criteria: * Pregnant women with poor pregnancy control. * Difficulty in speaking or understanding Spanish. * Required a C-section during delivery. * Refusal to participate in the study.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Changes in the presence of pelvic floor injuries during childbirth after a Pilates Method programBetween the eighth and tenth day after birthDecrease in the number of episiotomies and perineal tears

Countries

Spain

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026