Early Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Women Undergoing Pelvic Radiation for Gynecologic Malignancies

Summary

This is a single arm phase II study in which 28 patients who will be undergoing definitive pelvic external beam radiation therapy for cervical cancer will receive pelvic floor physical therapy 4 weeks after completing radiation therapy.

Detailed description

This is a single arm phase II study in which 28 patients who will be undergoing definitive pelvic external beam radiation therapy for cervical cancer will receive pelvic floor physical therapy 4 weeks after completing radiation therapy. The objective is to determine the rate of fecal incontinence at 3 months after RT in women undergoing pelvic radiation for gynecologic malignancies. The primary endpoint of this study is the rate of fecal incontinence at 3 months after RT utilizing the EORTC-QLQ CX24 validated survey. A score of 1 or higher will be classified as having incontinence.

Arms & interventions

• ProcedurePelvic floor physical therapy

  Four weeks after completion of RT, patients will begin a standardized pelvic floor PT course. The protocol will include two 1-hour physical therapy appointments focused on pelvic floor muscle training, dilator training and education. These sessions will be 4 weeks apart and performed by a pelvic floor physical therapist.

Outcome measures

Eligibility criteria