NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Perineal Massage for Pessary Examinations
Pessaries are effective non-surgical devices for reduction of prolapse. However, use of pessaries are limited in some women due to patient discomfort. While lidocaine can be used to improve pessary checks, its use may be limited due to supply chain shortages, lack of insurance coverage, and optimization of resource utilization. More techniques to improve pessary examination comfort are needed. Perineal massage prior to delivery and at the time of active labor has been noted to reduce perineal trauma and perineal discomfort, theoretically by desensitizing the nerve endings in the skin, broadening the vaginal opening, and increasing elasticity of the perineal tissue. Since most discomfort with pessary checks is during removal and insertion through the vaginal introitus, perineal massage may be a beneficial technique that women could potentially learn to improve comfort with pessary checks. The objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of perineal massage prior to pessary check in improving comfort of pessary checks for patients using a cross-over randomized controlled trial. Patients who follow up for pessary checks with the division of Urogynecology at UNC will be approached about participating in this study. The study will involve two clinical visits. At the first visit, the patient will be randomized to 2 minutes of perineal massage with water based gel of the external perineum and sides of the vaginal vestibule, as well as internal massage with the thumb, gliding from 4 to 8 o'clock, then tissue stretching technique with one intracavitary finger and other external finger at the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions three times; versus application of gel to the internal vagina and external vagina without massage. Providers will be blinded to randomization and proceed with pessary check as per normal clinical protocols. Patients will rate self-reported pain before, during pessary check, and after the pessary check on a VAS scale; and rate whether they would prefer to repeat this method at future visits via Likert scale. Healthcare professionals will also rate perceived patient pain on VAS scale; ease of pessary removal; and note any perineal or introital laceration or abrasion that may occur during the pessary fitting. At the following visit, patients will be assigned to the group to which they were not initially randomized. Patients and healthcare professionals will again rate pain as described above. Patients will also rank preference for perineal massage using PGI-I.
Conditions:
🦠 Prolapse, Vaginal 🦠 Stress Urinary Incontinence 🦠 Pessaries 🦠 Pain
🗓️ Study Start (Actual) June 2024
🗓️ Primary Completion (Estimated) June 2025
✅ Study Completion (Estimated) June 2025
👥 Enrollment (Estimated) 68
🔬 Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
📊 Phase NA
Locations:
📍 Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

📋 Eligibility Criteria

Description

    Inclusion Criteria:

    • * Undergoing routine pessary management by office providers
    • * Able to provide informed consent (as reported by patient or family member)
    • * Able to follow up with the UNC Urogynecology office for two consecutive pessary examination

    Exclusion Criteria:

    • * Non-English speaking
    • * Found to have a condition such as significant vaginal erosion that precludes replacement of pessary after exam
    • * Unable to undergo massage due to functional or cognitive impediments or significant discomfort during massage
    • * Regular usage of pain medications for prior pessary checks such as lidocaine, and unwilling to forgo lidocaine for two study visits
    • * Pessary visit for pain, pessary expulsion, or significant bleeding, as per provider's judgement
Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years to N/A (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)
Sexes Eligible for Study: FEMALE
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

🗓️ Study Record Dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates

  • First Submitted 13 May 2024
  • First Submitted that Met QC Criteria 13 May 2024
  • First Posted 16 May 2024

Study Record Updates

  • Last Update Submitted that Met QC Criteria 13 May 2024
  • Last Update Posted 16 May 2024
  • Last Verified May 2024