Purpose

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to determine whether the use of a novel vibrating pelvic floor therapeutic device ("Kiwi") improves sexual function in sexually active women aged 18 and older with genito-pelvic pain and penetration disorder (GPPPD) more effectively than traditional vaginal dilators. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does the use of the Kiwi device lead to higher sexual function scores compared to traditional vaginal dilators 2. Does the Kiwi device improve sexual distress, pain, and overall symptom severity more effectively than traditional vaginal dilators? Researchers will compare the Kiwi vibrating device to traditional cylindrical vaginal dilators to assess whether the Kiwi device results in greater improvements in sexual function and symptom relief. Participants will: - Be randomly assigned to use either the Kiwi device or traditional vaginal dilators. - Use the assigned device three times per week for 15 minutes per session over four weeks. - Complete surveys before and after the study, including assessments of sexual function, pain, and overall improvement.

Conditions

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
Female
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Assigned female at birth - Age ≥ 18 years old - Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (per ICD-10 diagnosis codes: F52.5 Vaginismus not due to a substance or known physiological condition, F52.6 Dyspareunia not due to a substance or known physiological condition, N94.1 Dyspareunia, N94.2 Vaginismus, N94.81 Vulvodynia)

Exclusion Criteria

  • Current or prior use of a therapeutic vaginal device used to treat GPPPD - Unmanaged genitourinary syndrome of menopause - History of pelvic radiation - History of genital tract malignancy - History of female genital mutilation - History of prior surgery for prolapse or incontinence, including vaginal mesh or midurethral sling mesh - Silicone allergy

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Kiwi (Commercially available therapeutic vibrating pelvic floor product)
Kiwi is a therapeutic vibrating pelvic floor product that includes an option for external massage and stimulation. The V- shaped massager, is designed to bridge anatomical variety and has three main massage ends. 1. The cylindrical end is comparable in application to traditional vaginal dilators. However, one significant difference is its tapered shape; this allows for continuous and gradual diameter increase, as opposed to discrete increments in the traditional dilator sets. The tapered end has an optional vibration mode with 4 different intensity settings. This cylindrical shape can also be used as a tool to apply external pressure point massage to the muscles of the urogenital triangle, such as the perineal muscle and the bulbospongiosus muscles. 2. A wider flat surface area has an additional motor to apply vibration to the glans clitoris. This end can also be used for massage. 3. The rounded bottom end of Kiwi can be used as a broad area massage tool.
  • Device: Pelvic floor therapy
    Once randomized to either the vibrating pelvic floor massage arm or the traditional vaginal dilator arm, they will receive instructions on frequency of device use and will use manufacturer's instructions for specifics of device use. We will not dictate more specific instructions on use, nor is this standard of care, as every patient is unique and will need to retain autonomy in terms of how quickly they progress in the use of the product. They will then complete a survey at 4 weeks which includes measures of sexual function and pelvic pain, as well of global impressions of improvement in their symptoms.
    Other names:
    • PFPT
    • Pelvic floor physical therapy
    • pelvic floor massage
Active Comparator
Silicone Dilator Arm
A commercially available set of graduated cylindrical vaginal dilators. The standard of care is a 6-piece, progressive-sizing, silicone dilator set. Dimensions of the silicone dilators are (WxH): (1) 0.7"x4.75", (2) 0.9"x5.25", (3) 1.0"x5.45", (4) 1.1"x5.85", (5) 1.3"x6.35", (6) 1.5"x6.85". These dilators are not battery powered, have no buttons, and no removable pieces.
  • Device: Pelvic floor therapy
    Once randomized to either the vibrating pelvic floor massage arm or the traditional vaginal dilator arm, they will receive instructions on frequency of device use and will use manufacturer's instructions for specifics of device use. We will not dictate more specific instructions on use, nor is this standard of care, as every patient is unique and will need to retain autonomy in terms of how quickly they progress in the use of the product. They will then complete a survey at 4 weeks which includes measures of sexual function and pelvic pain, as well of global impressions of improvement in their symptoms.
    Other names:
    • PFPT
    • Pelvic floor physical therapy
    • pelvic floor massage

Recruiting Locations

MedStar Health
Washington, District of Columbia 20010
Contact:
Kendra Green
202-997-4536
kendra.s.green@medstar.net

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Medstar Health Research Institute

Study Contact

Helen Y Zhang, MD
202-877-6526
helen.y.zhang@medstar.net

Detailed Description

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to evaluate the efficacy of a novel vibrating pelvic floor therapeutic device (the "Kiwi") compared to traditional vaginal dilators in improving sexual function outcomes in sexually active women aged 18 and older with genito-pelvic pain and penetration disorder (GPPPD). The primary objective is to determine whether the Kiwi device leads to higher Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores after four weeks of use compared to traditional dilators. Secondary objectives include assessing improvements in: - Sexual distress (Female Sexual Distress Scale - Desire/Arousal/Orgasm, FSDS-DAO) - Pelvic pain (Vulvar Pain Assessment Questionnaire, VPAQ-screen subscale) - Overall symptom severity (Patient Global Impression of Severity, PGI-S) - Perceived improvement (Patient Global Impression of Improvement, PGI-I) Participants (n=60) will be randomized into two arms: 1. Kiwi device group - a commercially available vibrating pelvic floor therapeutic product. 2. Traditional dilator group - a standard graduated cylindrical vaginal dilator set. Participants will use their assigned device three times per week for 15 minutes per session over a four-week period. Data will be collected at baseline and at the end of the study using validated questionnaires. The study hypothesizes that participants using the Kiwi device will demonstrate greater improvements in FSFI scores compared to those using traditional vaginal dilators, reflecting enhanced sexual function and reduced symptom severity.

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.