Biofeedback-Assisted Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation for Radiation-Induced Sexual Dysfunction in Cervical Cancer Survivors
Efficacy of Biofeedback-Assisted Pelvic Floor Muscle Training on Pelvic Radiation-Induced Sexual Dysfunction and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Cervical Cancer Survivors : A Randomized Controlled Trial
Beni-Suef University
60 participants
May 19, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of biofeedback-assisted pelvic floor muscle training on radiation-induced sexual dysfunction in cervical cancer survivors following pelvic radiotherapy. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either biofeedback-assisted pelvic floor rehabilitation or supervised conventional pelvic floor muscle training without biofeedback for 8 weeks.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria7
- Female participants aged 30-60 years.
- Histologically confirmed diagnosis of cervical cancer (any stage at diagnosis) and completion of primary treatment.
- Completion of pelvic radiotherapy (external beam radiotherapy and/or brachytherapy) ≥3 months prior to enrollment.
- Presence of radiation-induced sexual dysfunction, defined as a Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score ≤26.55.
- Self-reported sexual activity within the previous 6 months.
- Medically stable with no current oncologic indication for active treatment, confirmed by treating oncologist.
- Ability to understand study procedures and provide written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria11
- Evidence of recurrent, persistent, or metastatic cervical cancer.
- Participation in pelvic floor muscle training or biofeedback-based rehabilitation within the previous 6 months.
- Presence of severe pelvic organ prolapse (stage III-IV).
- Active pelvic infection, pelvic inflammatory disease, or untreated vaginal infection.
- Ongoing significant vaginal bleeding of unknown or pathological origin.
- Untreated or active urinary tract infection at the time of enrollment.
- Neurological disorders affecting pelvic floor function (e.g., spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis).
- Severe psychiatric illness or uncontrolled mental health disorder affecting participation.
- Cognitive impairment preventing understanding of instructions or adherence to protocol.
- Current pregnancy or planning pregnancy during the study period.
- Participation in another interventional clinical or rehabilitation trial within the last 3 months or during the study period.
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Interventions
An intravaginal surface electromyographic probe connected to a pelvic floor biofeedback device will be used during supervised pelvic floor muscle training sessions conducted three times per week for 8 weeks, with each session lasting 45-60 minutes. The protocol will include slow pelvic floor muscle contractions (8-12 repetitions per set, each held for 5-10 seconds with equal relaxation time) and fast contractions (10-15 rapid contractions per set), performed for 2-3 sets per session with short rest intervals (1-2 minutes) between sets according to participant tolerance. Visual and auditory biofeedback will be provided throughout to enhance motor learning, muscle awareness, coordination, contraction quality, and relaxation control. Training intensity, contraction duration, and repetitions will be progressively increased based on individual performance and fatigue response. In addition, participants will perform a structured home exercise program five days per week.
Participants will perform supervised pelvic floor muscle exercises including slow sustained contractions and rapid contractions without biofeedback guidance. Exercise frequency, duration, and progression will be matched to the experimental group.
Locations(1)
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NCT07597083