Pelvic floor muscle contraction-plus-relaxation versus relaxation-only with mindfulness for women with endometriosis-associated pelvic pain: A randomised controlled feasibility study

Abstract

Introduction: Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises are commonly prescribed to women with endometriosis-associated pelvic pain (EAPP) but the feasibility and effects of different PFM protocols remain unknown. Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing PFM contraction-plus-relaxation (PFMC + R) and PFM relaxation-only (PFMR) protocols combined with mindfulness in women with EAPP, and to explore changes in pelvic pain and PFM morphometry. Methods: An 8-week hybrid intervention of PFMC + R or PFMR with mindfulness was evaluated in a feasibility RCT. Primary outcomes were feasibility and acceptability; secondary outcomes we..