Measuring pelvic floor muscle health in women with chronic pelvic pain
Official title: Quantitative Assessment of Pelvic Floor Muscle Fitness in Myofascial Pelvic Pain
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10954686 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well the pelvic floor muscles are working in women with myofascial pelvic pain, using a gentle method that measures blood flow and oxygen levels during muscle contractions, to help improve understanding and treatment of this common pain condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,516,765 |
| NIH project number | 1R61AT013008-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10954686 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adult women experiencing chronic pelvic pain, particularly those diagnosed with myofascial pelvic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have pelvic floor muscle dysfunction or chronic pelvic pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates myofascial pelvic pain (MPP), a common yet often overlooked cause of chronic pelvic pain in women. It aims to develop a non-invasive method using near infra-red spectroscopy to assess pelvic floor muscle fitness by measuring oxygenation and blood flow during muscle contractions. By quantifying the functional changes in pelvic floor muscles, the study seeks to better understand the mechanisms behind MPP and improve treatment options. Participants will undergo assessments that correlate muscle function with symptoms related to pelvic pain, bowel, bladder, and sexual health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for women suffering from chronic pelvic pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using innovative imaging techniques for assessing muscle function, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ackerman, a. Lenore — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Ackerman, a. Lenore
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Measuring pelvic floor muscle fitness in women with myofascial pelvic pain
A non-invasive imaging method uses near-infrared spectroscopy to map how well pelvic floor muscles work in adult women with myofascial pelvic pain.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.