Pelvic Floor Muscle Training for Women with Myotonic Dystrophy

Launched by UNIVERSITÉ DE SHERBROOKE · Mar 14, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how pelvic floor muscle training can help women with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) who experience urinary incontinence. DM1 is a genetic condition that can affect many parts of the body, including the muscles that support the bladder. Urinary incontinence means having trouble controlling urination, which can be very challenging for many women. The study aims to see if a 12-week program of pelvic floor exercises, guided by a physiotherapist, can improve bladder control and overall quality of life for these women.

To be eligible for the trial, participants must be women aged 65 to 74 with a confirmed diagnosis of DM1 and experience urinary incontinence. They should be able to give informed consent and not have any medical conditions that might interfere with the training. Throughout the study, participants can expect to attend weekly sessions and do exercises at home. Researchers will track how well the training works by measuring changes in urinary incontinence, pelvic floor muscle function, and overall well-being. This study is important because it could lead to better treatment options for urinary incontinence in women with DM1.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • confirmed medical diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) with adult phenotype
• • symptoms of stress, urge or mixed urinary incontinence
• • able to give a free and informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • being pregnant, have given birth by vaginal delivery in the last year or plan to become pregnant in the next six months
• • present post-void residual urine ≥ 150 ml
• • have medical conditions that may have an impact on the symptoms of urinary incontinence and the response to treatments
• • present fecal incontinence (≥ 1/week) or significant prolapse (beyond the hymen)
• • have already received physiotherapy treatments in pelvic floor rehabilitation or surgery on the perineum
• • have a defibrillator, pacemaker or bladder stimulator