---
title: Effect of Verbal Instruction on Pelvic Floor Muscle Contraction in Post Stroke Patients
nct_id: NCT03903627
overall_status: COMPLETED
phase: NA
sponsor: University of Haifa
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
primary_condition: Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness
countries: Israel
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT03903627.md"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03903627"
ct_last_update_post_date: 2020-05-19
last_seen_at: "2026-05-12T07:03:00.785Z"
source: ClinicalTrials.gov (mirrored, no enrichment)
---
# Effect of Verbal Instruction on Pelvic Floor Muscle Contraction in Post Stroke Patients

**NCT ID:** [NCT03903627](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03903627)

## Key Facts

- **Status:** COMPLETED
- **Phase:** NA
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Target Enrollment:** 77
- **Lead Sponsor:** University of Haifa
- **Collaborators:** Ariel University
- **Conditions:** Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness
- **Start Date:** 2019-04-08
- **Completion Date:** 2020-02-01
- **CT.gov Last Update:** 2020-05-19

## Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to investigate which verbal instruction will lead to the most efficient contraction of pelvic floor muscles in post stroke patients. Pelvic floor muscle contraction will be evaluated via transabdominal ultrasound. ultrasound.

## Detailed Description

Sub-acute stroke patients during the rehabilitation period in the rehabilitation hospital will be examined. Each participant will be asked to contract the pelvic floor muscles using three different verbal instructions: (1) "contract your pelvic floor - all sphincters"; (2) "contract your anus"; (3) "contract your pelvic floor as if you're trying to stop urinating". Those who will not be able to contract will be taught by the ultrasound as a biofeedback.

The assessment of pelvic floor contraction will be measured by measuring bladder displacement via abdominal ultrasound. A curved linear array transducer will be placed in the transverse plane immediately suprapubically over the lower abdomen angled at 15-30 degrees from the vertical. An on screen caliper and measurement tool will be used to measure bladder displacement.

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 18 Years
- **Sex:** ALL
- **Healthy Volunteers:** No

```
Inclusion Criteria:

* one to 6 months post first stroke
* understand the language and simple instruction
* willing to participate in the study
* mini mental assessment \>21

Exclusion Criteria:

* Aphasia
* side neglect
* active urinary tract infection
* has been treated before for pelvic floor rehabilitation
```

## Arms

- **Verbal instruction** (EXPERIMENTAL) — The participants will be verbal instructed to contract the pelvic floor muscle with the following sentences:

(1) "contract your pelvic floor - all sphincters"; (2) "contract your anus"; (3) "contract your pelvic floor as if you're trying to stop urinating".

Those who will not be able to contract will be taught by the ultrasound as a biofeedback.

## Interventions

- **verbal instruction** (OTHER) — Verbal instruction for pelvic floor contraction will be given to participants. Ultrasound examination will be conducted to asses urinary bladder displacement being a marker for pelvic floor muscle function.

## Primary Outcomes

- **urinary bladder displacement in millimeters during verbal instructions** _(time frame: baseline)_ — bladder displacement will be measured via diagnostic ultrasound using the on screen caliper tool

## Secondary Outcomes

- **International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire** _(time frame: baseline)_
- **pelvic floor muscles endurance of contraction in seconds** _(time frame: baseline)_
- **Functional Independence Measurement (FIM) tool** _(time frame: baseline)_

## Locations (1)

- Leowenstein hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Raanana, Israel

## Recent Field Changes (last 30 days)

- `status.overallStatus` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.primaryCompletionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.completionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.lastUpdatePostDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.phases` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.enrollmentCount` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.criteria` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.minAge` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.sex` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.primary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.secondary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.arms` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.interventions` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `sponsor.lead` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `sponsor.collaborators` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `results.hasResults` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.leowenstein hospital, department of physical therapy|raanana||israel` — added _(2026-05-12)_

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT03903627.md*  
*Source data (authoritative): https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03903627*  
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