In this study, the efficacy of exercise to improve interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome symptoms and quality of life will be investigated.
Effective treatment for symptoms associated with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome is a significant clinical challenge due to the lack of insight into disease etiology/pathophysiology, costly and potentially invasive procedures, and a lack of research into potential therapeutics. The primary objective of this study is to determine if a supervised exercise program by a trained exercise physiologist can relieve pain and improve urinary and bladder symptoms in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. This has the potential to open enormous future avenues of research, save both patients and the healthcare system cost, and most importantly improve patients' lives. A second objective of this study is to determine if exercise alters depressive symptoms, often a comorbid diagnosis, in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. A third objective of this study is to examine urinary markers of inflammation before and after exercise in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Exercise will take place Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:00-1:00 pm for 6 weeks. Aerobic exercise will consist of walking, beginning with a 10-minute duration, with gradual progression to 20 minutes. Muscle strength, endurance and range-of-motion exercise will then be performed. Muscle strength and endurance training will begin using no weight and performing one set of 6 repetitions. Progression using added resistance in the form of dumbbell weights (1-6 lbs.) and increased sets and repetitions will be applied as Subjects become increasingly fit. For static range of motion exercise, positions will be held for 10-15 seconds in the beginning and increased over time. Exercise will be kept at a moderate level of intensity. Each session will then end with relaxation training.
Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICSI) Scores
Participants answer a series of questions to get a final score. Scores range from 0-20, with 0 being no symptoms and 20 the most severe.
Time frame: baseline
Interstitial Cystitis Problem (ICPI) Index Scores
Participants answer a series of questions to get a final score. Scores range from 0-16, with 0 being no symptoms and 16 the most severe.
Time frame: week 3
Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICSI) Scores
Participants answer a series of questions to get a final score. Scores range from 0-20, with 0 being no symptoms and 20 the most severe.
Time frame: week 3
Interstitial Cystitis Problem (ICPI) Index Scores
Participants answer a series of questions to get a final score. Scores range from 0-16, with 0 being no symptoms and 16 the most severe.
Time frame: week 6
Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency Patient Symptom Scale (PUF) Scores
This survey is used to grade people with chronic pelvic pain. Participants answer a series of questions. Scores range between 0 and 35, and studies have indicated that a score greater than 12 is indicative of significant symptoms
Time frame: baseline
Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency Patient Symptom Scale (PUF) Scores
This survey is used to grade people with chronic pelvic pain. Participants answer a series of questions. Scores range between 0 and 35, and studies have indicated that a score greater than 12 is indicative of significant symptoms
Time frame: week 3
Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency Patient Symptom Scale (PUF) Scores
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This survey is used to grade people with chronic pelvic pain. Participants answer a series of questions. Scores range between 0 and 35, and studies have indicated that a score greater than 12 is indicative of significant symptoms
Time frame: week 6
Change in the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey Scores
The SF-36 is a questionnaire that consists of 8 subsections of 36 total questions. The sections are Physical functioning (10 items), Role limitations due to physical health (4 items), Role limitations due to emotional problems (4 items), Energy/fatigue (4 items), Emotional well-being (5 items), Social functioning (2 items), Pain (2 items), General health (5 items). Aggregate scores for each domain range from 0 to 100, compiled as a percentage - where the higher the score, the more favorable the health state of the patient.
Time frame: baseline, week 3, week 6
Changes in Composite Autonomic Symptom Score (COMPASS-31) Scores
The test has 6 domains looking at autonomic symptoms: orthostatic intolerance, vasomotor, secretomotor, gastrointestinal, bladder and pupillomotor. The six domain scores sum to a total COMPASS 31 score of 0 to 100, and a higher COMPASS 31 score indicates more severe autonomic symptoms.
Time frame: baseline, week 3, week 6