A qualitative study in the Journal of Women's & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy examined verbal cues clinicians use to promote pelvic floor relaxation in patients with urinary incontinence and non-neurogenic hypertonicity.
What the Research Shows
One hundred five licensed therapists with pelvic health training completed a survey identifying their most used and effective relaxation cues during PFMT.
Four primary cueing themes emerged:
• Imaginative or metaphorical language
• Breathing-based cues
• Directional instructions
• Direct commands to relax or lengthen
• Breathing-based cues
• Directional instructions
• Direct commands to relax or lengthen
💡 What This Means for Clinical Care
Effective verbal cueing is essential for addressing non-neurogenic pelvic floor hypertonicity.
• Clinicians use multimodal cueing rather than single strategies.
• Individualized cueing may optimize rehabilitation outcomes.
• Future research should incorporate patient perspectives on cue effectiveness.
• Individualized cueing may optimize rehabilitation outcomes.
• Future research should incorporate patient perspectives on cue effectiveness.
The Power of Language
This study validates diverse cueing strategies in practice and supports developing best practices for verbal instruction. The right cue can unlock neuromuscular change.
Get provider-only pricing, ready-to-share patient resources, and clinical training – whatever your specialty.
Become and Intimate Rose Partner
