Recommendations for research

The guideline committee has made the following recommendations for research.

Key recommendations for research

1 How to provide pelvic floor muscle training

What is the most effective way to provide pelvic floor muscle training (covering the type of training, the timing, and who should supervise it), to improve adherence and prevent pelvic floor dysfunction?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on pelvic floor muscle training for preventing pelvic floor dysfunction.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review F: pelvic floor muscle training for the prevention of pelvic floor dysfunction.

2 Pelvic floor muscle training for preventing pelvic floor dysfunction in young women

Is pelvic floor muscle training for young women (between 12 and 17 years) effective in preventing pelvic floor dysfunction?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on pelvic floor muscle training for preventing pelvic floor dysfunction.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review F: pelvic floor muscle training for the prevention of pelvic floor dysfunction.

3 Pelvic floor muscle training for preventing pelvic floor dysfunction during pregnancy for women in higher-risk groups

How effective is pelvic floor muscle training in preventing pelvic floor dysfunction during pregnancy in women who are in higher-risk groups?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on pelvic floor muscle training for preventing pelvic floor dysfunction.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review F: pelvic floor muscle training for the prevention of pelvic floor dysfunction.

4 Lifestyle factors to reduce the risk of pelvic floor dysfunction

What lifestyle factors reduce the risk of developing pelvic floor dysfunction (diet, reducing carbonated drink and caffeine intake)?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on physical activity and diet and other modifiable risk factors.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review E: lifestyle factors for the prevention of pelvic floor dysfunction.

5 Prediction tools

What is the effectiveness of prediction tools for identifying women who are at risk of pelvic floor dysfunction?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review D: prediction tools for pelvic floor dysfunction.

6 Pelvic floor muscle training for preventing pelvic floor dysfunction in older women

Is pelvic floor muscle training effective in preventing pelvic floor dysfunction for older women (aged 65 and over), and women in the perimenopausal or postmenopausal phases?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on pelvic floor muscle training for preventing pelvic floor dysfunction.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review F: pelvic floor muscle training for the prevention of pelvic floor dysfunction.

7 Coexisting long-term conditions

What coexisting long-term conditions (for example, chronic respiratory disorders) are associated with a higher risk of pelvic floor dysfunction?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review C: coexisting long-term conditions and pelvic floor dysfunction.

Other recommendations for research

Lifestyle factors to reduce the risk of pelvic floor dysfunction

What are the long-term effects of different types, intensities and frequencies of physical activity for preventing symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on physical activity and diet and other modifiable risk factors.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review E: lifestyle factors for the prevention of pelvic floor dysfunction.

Universal postnatal pelvic floor muscle training for preventing pelvic floor dysfunction

Is universal postnatal pelvic floor muscle training effective in preventing pelvic floor dysfunction?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on pelvic floor muscle training for preventing pelvic floor dysfunction.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review F: pelvic floor muscle training for the prevention of pelvic floor dysfunction.

Pelvic floor muscle training for preventing bowel symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction

How effective is pelvic floor muscle training in preventing bowel symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on pelvic floor muscle training for preventing pelvic floor dysfunction.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review F: pelvic floor muscle training for the prevention of pelvic floor dysfunction.

Weight loss for managing pelvic floor dysfunction

Can weight loss reduce symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction in women who are overweight or obese?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on weight loss.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review J: weight loss interventions.

Diet for managing pelvic floor dysfunction

What changes in diet can improve symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on diet.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review K: dietary factors for the management of symptoms.

Weight training to improve symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction

How effective is weight training at improving symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on physical activity.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review L: physical activity for the management of symptoms.

Unsupervised physical activity to improve symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction

How effective is unsupervised physical activity (such as walking or swimming) at improving symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on physical activity.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review L: physical activity for the management of symptoms.

Psychological interventions to manage symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction

How effective are psychological interventions (either on their own or combined with other interventions) in the management of pelvic floor dysfunction?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on psychological interventions.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review O: psychological therapy for women with pelvic floor dysfunction.

Raising awareness about pelvic floor dysfunction

Are community-based strategies effective in raising awareness about the prevention of pelvic floor dysfunction?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on raising awareness of pelvic floor dysfunction.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review A: community information strategies.

Information valued by young women with pelvic floor dysfunction

What are the experiences and information needs of young women (between 12 and 17 years) with pelvic floor dysfunction?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on communicating with and providing information to women with pelvic floor dysfunction.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review G: information provision related to the management of pelvic floor dysfunction (people's views and experiences).

Effective ways of supporting women to start and continue interventions for pelvic floor dysfunction

What is the best way to support women to start and continue interventions for pelvic floor dysfunction (for example, apps, decision aids, or behavioural change techniques)?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on communicating with and providing information to women with pelvic floor dysfunction.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review H: information provision about management of pelvic floor dysfunction (most effective ways).

Effective ways of providing information to women with pelvic floor dysfunction

What are best ways to provide information about pelvic floor dysfunction to young women (between 12 and 17 years), and to groups defined by protected characteristics under the Equality Act?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on communicating with and providing information to women with pelvic floor dysfunction.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review H: information provision about management of pelvic floor dysfunction (most effective ways).

Medicines for pelvic floor dysfunction

Is vaginal oestrogen effective at treating the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on medicines.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review Q: pharmacological management.

Community-based multidisciplinary pelvic floor dysfunction teams

What roles are needed in a community-based multidisciplinary pelvic floor dysfunction team?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on community-based multidisciplinary teams.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review R: community-based multidisciplinary teams.

Intravaginal devices and pessaries combined with pelvic floor muscle training for managing pelvic floor dysfunction

How effective is a pessary or intravaginal device combined with pelvic floor muscle training for managing pelvic floor dysfunction, compared with pelvic floor muscle training alone?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on pelvic floor muscle training for managing pelvic floor dysfunction.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review M: pelvic floor muscle training for the management of symptoms.

Virtual and in-person contact time for pelvic floor muscle training

How effective is virtual contact with a trainer, compared with in-person contact, for pelvic floor muscle training?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on pelvic floor muscle training for managing pelvic floor dysfunction.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review M: pelvic floor muscle training for the management of symptoms.

Anal plug devices and rectal irrigation for the management of bowel symptoms in women with pelvic floor dysfunction

How effective are anal plug devices and rectal irrigation for bowel symptoms in women with pelvic floor dysfunction?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on intravaginal devices and pessaries.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review N: physical devices for the management of pelvic floor dysfunction.

Multiple pregnancy as an independent risk factor for pelvic floor dysfunction

Is multiple pregnancy an independent risk factor for pelvic floor dysfunction?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review B: risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction.

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)