Project Description
Pelvic floor disorders are common in women and include incontinence (bladder or bowel leakage) and pelvic pain. These conditions are often successfully treated by physiotherapists who work with women to build strength and/or relax their pelvic floor muscles. We are developing a tool for physiotherapists so that they can measure pelvic floor muscle strength and flexibility in women who have pelvic floor disorders. We are currently looking to determine the best device shape to use for these measurements.
What is involved?
- Physical exam of your pelvic floor muscles
- Assessment with a custom intravaginal device using four difference shape options to measure forces generated when you contract your pelvic floor muscles and when they are gently stretched
*These assessments will be conducted in a single laboratory session lasting approximately 1 hour at the MFM Lab (200 Lees Avenue, Building E, rm E155D).
You are eligible to participate if:
- Female and at least 18 years of age
- Do not experience regular pain with intercourse, tampon insertion or during gynecological examinations
- Have not undergone pelvic surgeries that have changed your pelvic anatomy
(e.g., hysterectomy, gender affirming)
You will learn about pelvic floor muscle contractions at your visit. No compensation is provided for participation. Participants will be accepted on a first-come, first served basis. The protocol has been reviewed by the University of Ottawa Health Sciences and Sciences Research Ethics Board and has been found to comply with national standards for the ethical conduct of research on humans.
We would greatly appreciate your participation. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact us.
Anne-Marie Lake
613-562-5800 ext. 7438
Principal Investigator: Dr. Linda McLean School of Rehabilitation, University of Ottawa, 200 Lees Avenue, Building E, room E155D, Ottawa, ON, Canada
English (Canada) 
Français du Canada