Using electrical stimulation of the trunk and legs to strengthen pelvic floor muscles in women
Investigation of the Effects of Electrical Stimulation Applied to Trunk and Lower Extremity Muscles on Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength in Women
This trial tests whether adding whole-body electrical muscle stimulation to a guided exercise program can help healthy women aged 18–45 increase pelvic floor muscle strength.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Okan University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Istanbul, Istanbul) |
| Trial ID | NCT07554612 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Healthy women who are sedentary will be randomized into three groups (EMS + exercise, sham-EMS + exercise, or exercise only) and will attend supervised sessions twice weekly for six weeks. Electrical muscle stimulation will be applied to trunk and lower-extremity muscles timed with specific exercises for the relevant groups, while all participants follow a standardized exercise protocol. Pelvic floor muscle strength will be measured with a digital perineometer at baseline and after the 6-week intervention by the same investigator to ensure consistency. The trial tests whether indirect activation of the pelvic floor via core and leg muscle stimulation produces measurable gains in muscle tone compared with exercise alone or sham stimulation.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are biologically female volunteers aged 18–45 with BMI 18.5–29.9 who are sedentary or have low activity and can attend twice-weekly sessions for six weeks.
Not a fit: People with contraindications to EMS (for example, pacemakers or metal implants in the trunk/hip), recent childbirth (within 6 months), prior pelvic or major abdominal surgery, active urinary infection, symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse, or neurological disorders affecting muscle control are unlikely to benefit or cannot participate.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a non-invasive adjunct to exercise that helps women who struggle to activate pelvic floor muscles gain strength more effectively.
How similar studies have performed: Direct pelvic floor electrical stimulation has shown benefits in some prior studies, but using trunk and lower-extremity EMS to indirectly boost pelvic floor strength is a relatively novel approach with limited existing evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Biological female volunteers aged between 18 and 45 years. * Having a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 29.9 kg/m². * Being sedentary or having a low level of physical activity (not participating in regular exercise programs in the last 6 months). * Volunteering to participate in the study and signing the informed consent form. * Being mentally and physically capable of following the 12-week exercise and EMS protocol. Exclusion Criteria: * Having a history of pelvic floor surgery or major abdominal surgery. * Being pregnant or having given birth within the last 6 months. * Having a diagnosed neurological disorder that affects muscle control (e.g., Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's). * Having an active urinary tract infection or symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse. * Having a cardiac pacemaker or any metal implants in the trunk and hip area (contraindications for EMS). * Having chronic diseases that may interfere with exercise participation (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, severe cardiovascular disease). * Having skin lesions, infections, or severe sensitivity in the areas where EMS electrodes will be applied. * Using medications that affect muscle metabolism or the neuromuscular system.
Where this trial is running
Istanbul, Istanbul
- Istanbul Okan University Hospital — Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Dilara Taskiran, PT
- Email: dilarataskrannnn@gmail.com
- Phone: 905308922902
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.