Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42471707›Full record

Observational studyBMC women's health2026

Adherence and continuance intention of biofeedback-assisted pelvic floor muscle training: a theory-driven study among women with pelvic floor disorders.

Ying-Hsuan Chao, Chia-Jung Chiang, Chung-Hung Tsai, Ya-Min Cheng, Li-Chieh Kuo, Fong-Chin Su

Registry-linked trialAbstract readObservational Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Observational study in BMC women's health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT07243028 (Application of Simultaneous Pelvic Floor Ultrasonography and Electromyography Biofeedback on Pelvic Floor Muscle Training), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT07243028 narecruitingnot on this map

Application of Simultaneous Pelvic Floor Ultrasonography and Electromyography Biofeedback on Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

TypeinterventionalSponsorNational Cheng-Kung University HospitalRan2024 to 2028Enrolled70ConditionsPelvic Floor Dysfunction, Pelvic Floor Muscle WeaknessArmsUltrasound Biofeedback Device, Manometer Biofeedback Device
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Ying-Hsuan ChaoDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan City, 701401, Taiwan.
Chia-Jung ChiangDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital Tainan Branch, Tainan, Taiwan.
Chung-Hung TsaiDepartment of Family Medicine, An-Nan Hospital, China Medical University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Ya-Min ChengDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Li-Chieh KuoDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan City, 701401, Taiwan. jkkuo@mail.ncku.edu.tw.
Fong-Chin SuDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan City, 701401, Taiwan. fcsu@mail.ncku.edu.tw.

Funding

National Cheng Kung University Hospital Grant No. A-ER-112-385
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAdherence to pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) remains a major challenge in the conservative management of pelvic floor disorders in women. Although biofeedback-assisted PFMT facilitates motor learning, sustained engagement may be influenced by a range of behavioral and experiential factors. This study investigated clinical and behavioral determinants of engagement with PFMT technologies and examined changes in manometry-derived pelvic floor muscle performance during a supervised biofeedback-assisted PFMT.

methodsThis prospective observational study examined outpatient care for women with pelvic floor disorder. Participants completed six PFMT sessions with manometer-based biofeedback. Based on baseline Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20) scores, participants were stratified into low- and high-symptom groups. Changes in muscle performance were evaluated using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Adherence determinants were examined using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

resultsParticipants with lower baseline symptoms showed higher program adherence. Significant improvements in contraction and peak pressure occurred over time (p < .01), with comparable benefits across symptom groups. Perceived usefulness emerged as the strongest predictor of sustained engagement, followed by self-efficacy, confirmation, and early engagement. Satisfaction and perceived ease of use did not directly predict continuance. Privacy and comfort concerns negatively influenced satisfaction, indirectly reducing continuance intention. Higher baseline quality of life impairment correlated with lower adherence.

conclusionsBiofeedback-assisted PFMT enhances pelvic floor muscle performance across varying symptom severities; however, sustained engagement is primarily driven by perceived functional benefit rather than satisfaction alone. These findings highlight the need to integrate behavioral, experiential, and functional considerations in PFMT interventions.

trial registrationThe Institutional Review Board of National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan, thoroughly reviewed and approved the procedures and consent form (Reference Number AER112385 Registration number NCT07243028 at ClinicalTrials.gov).

Indexed as

Biofeedback, PsychologyExercise TherapyPatient CompliancePelvic FloorPelvic Floor DisordersAdultFemaleHumansIntentionManometryMiddle AgedProspective StudiesSelf EfficacyBiofeedbackHealth behaviorIntention to usePelvic floor disorderPelvic floor muscle training

Identifiers

PMID42471707
PMCPMC13663098

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.