Effects of Hypopressive Exercises on Urinary Incontinence and Erectile Dysfunction After Radical Prostatectomy

Launched by BARTIN UNIVERSITY · Jul 28, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a special type of exercise called hypopressive exercises to see if it can help men who have urinary leakage (incontinence) and difficulty with erections (erectile dysfunction) after having surgery to remove the prostate gland (radical prostatectomy). The study compares two groups: one doing standard pelvic floor muscle exercises at home, and another doing those exercises plus supervised hypopressive exercises twice a week. Hypopressive exercises focus on gently engaging the muscles in the pelvis and belly without putting pressure inside the abdomen, and researchers want to find out if adding these exercises improves muscle strength, reduces urine leakage, and helps with sexual function and overall quality of life.

Men who are eligible to join are those over 55 years old who have had prostate cancer surgery, are experiencing both urinary leakage and erectile problems, can read and write, and are able to contract their pelvic floor muscles voluntarily. Participants will be asked to take part in exercises and assessments over the study period. It’s important to note that men with certain health problems—like lung diseases, previous prostate surgeries other than the prostate removal, or complications after surgery—may not qualify. This study is currently looking for volunteers, and it aims to offer new ways to improve recovery and quality of life after prostate surgery.

Gender

MALE

Eligibility criteria

• • Inclusion Criteria
• • Male individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer who have undergone radical prostatectomy
• • Experiencing both urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction
• • Age \> 55 years
• • A score of 24 or higher on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
• • Literate (able to read and write)
• • Willingness to participate in the study (signed informed consent)
• • Ability to voluntarily contract pelvic floor muscles
• • Ability to cooperate with the assessments and interventions used in the study
• • Exclusion Criteria
• • History of urinary incontinence before surgery
• • Congenital abnormalities of the urinary system
• • Presence of neurological disorders
• • History of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
• • Diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and/or chronic restrictive pulmonary disease
• • History of inguinal hernia
• • Previous or current history of radiation therapy
• • Surgical or postoperative complications that prevent early physiotherapy intervention (e.g., urinary tract infection, bladder neck stenosis)