Pelvic floor muscle training during inpatient spinal cord injury rehabilitation
Exploring the Feasibility and Benefits of Implementing Pelvic Floor Muscle Training During Inpatient Rehabilitation for People With Spinal Cord Injury
This program tests whether adding pelvic floor muscle training during inpatient rehab helps people with spinal cord injury improve bladder, bowel, and sexual function and overall quality of life.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 19 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of British Columbia Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Vancouver, British Columbia) |
| Trial ID | NCT07519928 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults with spinal cord injury who are admitted as inpatients at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre will be recruited and complete baseline questionnaires and physical assessments. Participants will receive a 6-week pelvic floor muscle physiotherapy program delivered during their inpatient stay and will repeat the same assessments at the end of the intervention. The study will track feasibility measures such as recruitment, acceptance, and implementation logistics, alongside clinical outcomes for bladder, bowel, sexual function, and quality of life. Inclusion requires the ability to perform a voluntary anal contraction and expected inpatient stay of at least six weeks.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are English-speaking adults (≥19 years) with traumatic or non-traumatic spinal cord injury, bladder or urinary dysfunction, able to perform a voluntary anal contraction, and expected to remain inpatient at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre for at least six weeks.
Not a fit: People with lower motor neuron sacral injury (absent anal or bulbocavernosus reflexes), other pelvic conditions, severe unmanaged spasticity or contractures, ventilator dependence, or inability to follow instructions are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could improve bladder, bowel, and sexual function and enhance quality of life for people with spinal cord injury.
How similar studies have performed: Pelvic floor training has shown benefit in other populations and some outpatient SCI work is promising, but implementing it during inpatient SCI rehab is relatively novel and not well established.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Are at least 19 years of age. 2. Have a traumatic or non-traumatic SCI 3. Are able to perform a voluntary anal contraction 4. Present with bladder or urinary tract dysfunction from SCI 5. Are a current inpatient at GF Strong Rehabilitation Center and are expected to remain as an inpatient for at least 6 weeks after the time of consent. 6. Are able to speak and understand English. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Present with symptoms of lower motor neuron injury to the sacral segments (e.g. negative anal and bulbocavernosus reflexes) 2. Present with any other condition besides SCI that impacts the pelvic floor muscles or other pelvic structures 3. Are planning to receive intra-detrusor Botox injections in the next 3 months 4. Have a brain injury or other condition that interferes with their ability to follow instructions 5. Are using a ventilator 6. Have severe and unmanaged spasticity (involuntary muscle tightness or spasms) or contractures (prolonged muscle/joint stiffness) 7. Are unable to tolerate transfers to or lie on a physical therapy table 8. Experience severe pain that interferes with their ability to participate in pelvic floor muscle training
Where this trial is running
Vancouver, British Columbia
- GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre — Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jiho Song
- Email: lamlab@icord.org
- Phone: 604-675-8815
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.