Antenatal Preventative Pelvic floor Exercises And Localisation: a feasibility and pilot cluster randomised controlled trial

APPEAL is an NIHR funded programme of work, which brings together a set of studies aimed at reducing pregnancy and childbirth-related urinary incontinence. The final study within this programme is a feasibility and pilot cluster randomised controlled trial. There is good evidence that pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME), when done correctly during pregnancy, reduces the risk of urinary incontinence (UI) after birth. However, many pregnant women do not do these exercises and many midwives do not appropriately advise women about them. The aim of this pilot trial is to assess the potential to undertake a future definitive cluster trial to compare the clinical and cost effectiveness of a midwifery-led antenatal PFME intervention to reduce UI in postnatal women. Specific objectives include assessment of acceptability of the trial intervention and procedures to midwives; women’s questionnaire return rates; and the prevalence of UI and other outcomes at 10-12 weeks postnatal.

Lead: Christine MacArthur

Dates: 01/03/2016 to 30/09/2022

Funding: NIHR Programme Grant