A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Extracorporeal Vaginal Peflex Weights for Enhancing Pelvic Floor Function and Relieving Stress Urinary Incontinence
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Methods
2.1. Design
2.2. Subjects
2.3. Ethical Considerations
2.4. Procedures and Data Collection
2.5. Allocation
2.6. Interventions
2.7. Intervention Protocol
2.8. Statistical Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Power Analysis
3.2. Primary Outcome Measures: Intra-Group Comparison
3.3. Secondary Outcome Measures: Intra-Group Comparison
3.4. Primary and Secondary Outcome Measures: Inter-Group Comparison
4. Discussion
4.1. Intragroup Comparison
4.2. Comparison Between the Groups
- The Peflex weights, as opposed to vaginal weights, are not inserted into the vagina but hung on a tampon string; the Peflex weights are pulled to the ground by gravity, unlike the vaginal cone that lies in a transverse position and is therefore retained in the vagina [36].
- The Peflex has a spring that allows for a slight vibrating movement that stimulates the PFM’s proprioception, which stimulates the muscle to contract; it is known that neural deficits may lead to SUI [37]. There is evidence that whole-body vibration training increases the strength of the PFM in women with SUI [38] and that proprioceptive input influences muscle activity timing, posture, coordination, and balance [39].
- The Peflex allows for visual biofeedback by practicing in front of a mirror and sensory biofeedback by pulling the Peflex down. The Peflex enables adjustments in the levels of training difficulty, such as altering the size of a tampon (the smaller the tampon, the more complex the training), adding more weights, and modifying the body’s training position (sitting, standing, squatting, etc.). The training can be more functional when carried out on a full bladder. It is recommended that training be conducted during the activity in which the patient reports SUI dysfunction, such as while singing.
- All the above induce sensorimotor adaptation, promoting pelvic floor reaction and enhancing motor learning. Motor learning encompasses repeated practice with successful outcomes, visual feedback that allows one to observe the weight being lifted upward, and practicing pelvic floor contractions with varying weights and positions [40].
- Relaxation is essential in muscle training. Muscle relaxation enables the muscles to recover between contractions, facilitating optimal strength development [41]. Reaching this state of relaxation is recommended by holding and lifting the Peflex weights.
4.3. Possible Limitations
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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| Demographic Data | Peflex Group (N = 14) | Control Group (N = 14) | p-Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 0.645 ^^ | ||
| Mean ± SD | 40.93 ± 5.60 | 39.50 ± 7.39 | |
| BMI (kg/m2) | 0.713 ^^ | ||
| Mean ± SD | 23.11 ± 2.86 | 23.91 ± 3.26 | |
| Number of deliveries | 0.266 ^^ | ||
| Mean ± SD | 2.36 ± 1.39 | 2.00 ± 0.43 | |
| Median (Q1, Q3) | 2.00 (1.00, 6.00) | 1.50 (1.00, 7.00) | |
| Newborn weight (grams) | 0.679 ^^ | ||
| Mean ± SD | 3272.86 ± 366.76 | 3286.86 ± 741.62 | |
| Number of pregnancies | 0.538 ^^ | ||
| Mean ± SD | 3.14 ± 2.24 | 2.57 ± 1.95 | |
| Median (Q1, Q3) | 2.00 (1.00, 7.00) | 2.00 (1.00, 8.00) | |
| Instrumental birth | ~1.000 ^ | ||
| Yes | 2 (14%) | 3 (21%) | |
| No | 12 (86%) | 11 (79%) | |
| Cesarean delivery | 0.481 ^ | ||
| Yes | 2 (14%) | 0 (0%) | |
| No | 8 (86%) | 14 (100%) | |
| Obstetric rupture | ~1.000 ^ | ||
| Yes | 8 (57%) | 9 (64%) | |
| No | 6 (43%) | 5 (36%) | |
| Episiotomy | ~1.000 ^ | ||
| Yes | 6 (42%) | 6 (42%) | |
| No | 8 (58%) | 8 (58%) | |
| Weekly sports activity (hours) | 0.303 ^^ | ||
| Mean ± SD | 2.00 ± 1.24 | 1.43 ± 1.45 |
| Outcome Measures | Peflex Group | Control Group | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Treatment Mean ± SD | Post-Treatment Mean ± SD | p-Value | Pre-Treatment Mean ± SD | Post-Treatment Mean ± SD | p-Value | |
| Total ICIQ-UI-SF score | 10.07 ± 2.64 | 5.50 ± 3.44 | 0.002 ** | 12.29 ± 3.10 | 7.36 ± 3.27 | 0.002 ** |
| Amount of incontinence | 2.71 ± 0.99 | 1.57 ± 0.85 | 0.004 ** | 2.57± 1.22 | 2.00 ± 0.00 | 0.102 |
| Frequency of incontinence | 1.86 ± 0.86 | 0.86 ±0.53 | 0.005 ** | 2.21 ± 1.05 | 1.29 ± 0.83 | 0.025 ** |
| Daily Life Interference (NRS) | 5.64± 1.65 | 3.07 ± 2.53 | 0.005 ** | 7.50 ± 2.21 | 4.07 ± 2.64 | 0.003 ** |
| Outcomes Measures | Peflex Group | Control Group | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Treatment Mean ± SD | Post-Treatment Mean ± SD | p-Value | Pre-Treatment Mean ± SD | Post-Treatment Mean ± SD | p-Value | |
| Perineometer pressure (cmH2O) | 12.79 ± 12.56 | 17.77 ± 14.49 | 0.001 ** | 11.07 ± 7.19 | 13.43 ± 7.36 | 0.019 ** |
| Power (1–5) | 2.5 ± 1.09 | 3.57 ± 0.85 | 0.027 ** | 2.64 ± 0.84 | 3.07 ± 0.83 | 0.034 ** |
| Endurance (seconds) | 8.07 ± 2.59 | 9.86 ± 0.53 | 0.001 ** | 5.79 ± 2.83 | 8.79 ± 1.67 | 0.003 ** |
| Repetitions (N) | 3.79 ± 1.85 | 8.14 ± 1.83 | 0.004 ** | 4.79 ± 2.42 | 6.64 ± 2.44 | 0.005 ** |
| Fast contractions (N) | 5.71 ± 2.40 | 8.93 ± 1.86 | 0.004 ** | 6.36 ± 2.44 | 8.21 ± 2.04 | 0.029 ** |
| US levator hiatus. Proportional change in contraction (mm) | 7.64 ± 5.18 | 10.71 ± 5.61 | 0.048 ** | 8.26 ± 7.34 | 7.08 ± 5.90 | 0.331 |
| Outcomes Measures | Peflex Group Mean ± SD | Control Group Mean ± SD | p-Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relative Delta Total ICIQ-UI-SF score (%) | 41.55 ± 31.43 | −44.80± 35.91 | 0.660 |
| Delta Frequency incontinence (%) | −9.09 ± 7.13 | −8.44 ± 11.53 | 0.883 |
| Delta Amount of incontinence (%) | −10.38 ± 9.33 | −5.19 ± 11.11 | 0.096 |
| Delta Daily Life Interference (%) | −23.37 ± 20.39 | −31.16 ± 26.13 | 0.471 |
| Delta Perineometer (%) | 37.01 ± 2993 | 21.42 ± 28.66 | 0.179 |
| Delta Power (%) | 9.09 ± 5.04 | 3.89 ± 5.87 | 0.015 ** |
| Delta Endurance (%) | 16.23 ± 23.43 | 27.27 ± 19.20 | 0.121 |
| Delta Repetitions (%) | 39.61 ± 21.27 | 17.20 ± 15.96 | 0.007 ** |
| Delta Fast contractions (%) | 29.22 ± 24.23 | 16.88 ± 26.40 | 0.286 |
| Delta Levator hiatus Proportional change in contraction (%) | 3.06 ± 5.52 | −1.17 ± 3.54 | 0.022 ** |
| Satisfaction with treatment (NRS) | 8.64 ± 1.50 | 7.50 ± 1.51 | 0.054 |
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Bar Chen, A.; Fligelman, T.; Kalichman, L. A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Extracorporeal Vaginal Peflex Weights for Enhancing Pelvic Floor Function and Relieving Stress Urinary Incontinence. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22, 1703. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22111703
Bar Chen A, Fligelman T, Kalichman L. A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Extracorporeal Vaginal Peflex Weights for Enhancing Pelvic Floor Function and Relieving Stress Urinary Incontinence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2025; 22(11):1703. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22111703
Chicago/Turabian StyleBar Chen, Avital, Tal Fligelman, and Leonid Kalichman. 2025. "A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Extracorporeal Vaginal Peflex Weights for Enhancing Pelvic Floor Function and Relieving Stress Urinary Incontinence" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 22, no. 11: 1703. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22111703
APA StyleBar Chen, A., Fligelman, T., & Kalichman, L. (2025). A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Extracorporeal Vaginal Peflex Weights for Enhancing Pelvic Floor Function and Relieving Stress Urinary Incontinence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(11), 1703. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22111703

