Laboratory Projects
1. Mobile APP: Development of a mobile application synthesizing educational and exercise aspects of the GROUP project
Investigators: Chantale Dumoulin, PhD, Marc Feeley, PhD
Results: A 12-week pilot study with 11 women with stress or mixed urinary incontinence tested the Oups! mobile PFMT application. The app was highly acceptable, with strong adherence (>80%), high quality ratings (uMARS 4.35/5), and positive qualitative feedback. Significant reductions in leakage episodes and improvements in UI severity, quality of life, and pelvic floor muscle function were observed, supporting feasibility for larger trials.
Abstracts:
Dutil O, Dumoulin C. (2024). Traiter l’incontinence urinaire chez la femme à l’aide d’une application mobile : une revue narrative. 57e congrès PREMIER des stagiaires de recherche du 1er cycle de la Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada, 26 janvier 2024.
Dutil O, Dumoulin C. (2024). #9 Évaluation de l’acceptabilité et de l’effet d’une application mobile pour traiter l’incontinence urinaire à l’effort chez la femme âgée. Présentation par affiche, projet intégrateur de fin de maîtrise du programme de physiothérapie, École de réadaptation, Faculté de Médecine de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada, avril 2024.
2. TeleGROUP: Online group-based pelvic floor muscle training program to treat urinary incontinence in older women: a mixed method pilot study
Investigators: Mélanie Le Berre, PhD candidate, Chantale Dumoulin, PhD, Johanne Filiatrault, PhD
Collaborators: Barbara Reichetzer, MD, Dahlia Kairy, PhD, Caroline Lachance, MD
Results: A 12-week online group-based pelvic floor muscle training program, coupled with an in-person pelvic floor evaluation followed by an unsupervised maintenance exercise regimen, proved to be effective in improving UI-specific and UI-related symptoms, self-efficacy, and UI costs among older women in our cohort. It also appears to yield sustained clinical benefits six months after the program. This telerehabilitation PFMT program proved acceptable for both the participating women and the physiotherapist.
Doctoral thesis: Le Berre M (2024). Faisabilité, acceptabilité et effets d’un programme de téléréadaptation en groupe pour traiter l’incontinence urinaire chez les femmes âgées. Papyrus, Collections Thèses et mémoires électroniques de l’Université de Montréal, Faculté de médecine. 2025 Best Thesis Award, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies – Health Sciences Category
Publications:
Le Berre M, Filiatrault J, Reichetzer B, Dumoulin C. (2022) Feasibility, acceptability and effects of a group pelvic floor muscle telerehabilitation program to treat urinary incontinence in older women. Digital Health. October 26;8:20552076221123720. doi:10.1177/20552076221123720
Le Berre M, Filiatrault J, Reichetzer B, Dumoulin C. (2023) Group-Based Pelvic Floor Telerehabilitation to Treat Urinary Incontinence in Older Women: A Feasibility Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. May 11;20(10):5791. doi:10.3390/ijerph20105791
Le Berre M, Dumoulin C. (2024) Accessibility of pelvic floor physiotherapy for treating urinary incontinence in older women in Quebec: an online survey. Physiotherapy Canada. March 6;76(1):86-94. doi:10.3138/ptc-2021-0089.
Le Berre M, Filiatrault J, Reichetzer B, Kairy D, Lachance C, Dumoulin C. (2024) Online group-based pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence in older women: a pilot study. International Urogynecology Journal. April;35(4):811-822. doi:10.1007/s00192-024-05728-0
Le Berre M, Forest L, Dumoulin C. (2024) Implementation of group-based exercise programs in physiotherapy: a rapid scoping review. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. August 1;103(8):761-768. doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000002477
Le Berre M, Filiatrault J, Reichetzer B, Kairy D, Lachance C, Dumoulin C. (2025) Group-Based Pelvic Floor Telerehabilitation for Urinary Incontinence in Older Women: A Six-Month Follow-Up Pilot Study. Maturitas. May 29;199:108621. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108621
Published Abstracts:
Le Berre M, Filiatrault J, Reichetzer B, Dumoulin C. (2022) #237 Is online group-based pelvic floor muscle training feasible for older women with urinary incontinence? Présentation d’abrégé, 52nd Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society, Vienne, Autriche, 7-10 septembre 2022. Continence, June;2(S2):100326. doi:10.1016/j.cont.2022.100326
Le Berre M, Filiatrault J, Reichetzer B, Dumoulin C. (2023) #229 Online group-based pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence in older women. Présentation d’abrégé, 53rd Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society, Toronto, Canada, 28 septembre 2023. Continence, September;7(S1):100947. doi:10.1016/j.cont.2023.100947
Le Berre M, Filiatrault J, Reichetzer B, Kairy D, Lachance C, Dumoulin C. (2024) #19 Six-Month Effect of Group-Based Pelvic Floor Telerehabilitation in Older Women with Urinary Incontinence: A Follow-Up Study. Présentation d’abrégé, 54th Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society, Madrid, Espagne, 23-25 octobre 2024. Continence, October;12(S):101361. doi:10.1016/j.cont.2024.101361
Le Berre M, Filiatrault J, Reichetzer B, Kairy D, Lachance C, Dumoulin C. (2024) #212 Acceptability of Group-Based Telerehabilitation Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Program in Older Women with Urinary Incontinence: A Qualitative Study. Présentation d’abrégé, 54th Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society, Madrid, Espagne, 23-25 octobre 2024. Continence, October;12(S):101361. doi:10.1016/j.cont.2024.101554
3. A Miniaturized Platform for Women Pelvic Floor Muscles Function Monitoring and Assessment
Investigators: Batoul El-Sayegh, PhD candidate, François Leduc-Primeau, PhD, Chantale Dumoulin, PhD, Mohamad Sawan, PhD
Doctoral thesis: El-Sayegh B. (2024) A Portable Platform for Women Pelvic Floor Muscles Function Monitoring and Assessment
Publications :
El-Sayegh B, Dumoulin C, Ali M, Assaf H, Sawan M. (2020) A Dynamometer-based Wireless Pelvic Floor Muscle Force Monitoring. 42nd Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society. July;6127-6130. doi: 10.1109/EMBC44109.2020.9176660
El-Sayegh B, Dumoulin C, Ali M, Assef A, Sawan M, Primeau FL. (2022) Portable Dynamometer-Based Measurement of Pelvic Floor Muscle Force. IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine. November;11:44-53. doi: 10.1109/JTEHM.2022.3223258.
El-Sayegh B, Cacciari L, Primeau FL, Sawan M, Dumoulin C. (2022) The State of Pelvic Floor Muscle Dynamometry: A Critical Review. Neurourology and Urodynamics. December;42(2):478-499. doi:10.1002/nau.25101.
El-Sayegh B, Dumoulin C, Leduc-Primeau F, Sawan M. (2024). Improving Pelvic Floor Muscle Training with AI: A Novel Quality Assessment System for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. Sensors. October 29; 24(21):6937. doi:10.3390/s24216937
4. Femfit: Understanding deep intra-abdominal pressure and its relationship to PFM pressure in UI-afflicted women
Investigator: Chantale Dumoulin, PhD
Collaborators: Jenny Kruger, PhD, Paul Nielson, PhD, David Budget, PhD
Results: The study assessed the effectiveness of femfit®, an intravaginal pressure sensor array, in quantifying pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function through the PFM activation pressure (PFMA) metric in women with stress urinary incontinence before and after a 12-week PFM training program. Although the difference in PFMA scores before and after the intervention was not statistically significant (p = 0.0951), the results indicated a noteworthy positive trend, suggesting potential improvement in PFM function. This pilot study demonstrates the promise of femfit® as a user-friendly and objective tool for evaluating PFM training outcomes, warranting further research with larger participant groups to confirm these findings.
Publications:
Cacciari L, Kruger J, Goodman J, Budgett D, Dumoulin C. (2020) Reliability and validity of intravaginal pressure measurements with a new intravaginal pressure device: The FemFit®. Neurourology and Urodynamics. January;39(1):253-260. doi:10.1002/nau.24179
Pedfsky L, Neilsen PMF, Budgett D, Nemec K, Dumoulin C, Kruger J. (2021) Using codesign to develop a mobile application for pelvic floor muscle training with an intravaginal device (FemFit®). Neurourology and Urodynamics. November;40(8):1900-1907. doi:10.1002/nau.24775
Published abstracts:
Schell A, Budgett D, Nielsen P, Smalldridge J, Hayward L, Dumoulin C, Kruger J. (2016) #414 Design and development of a novel intra-vaginal pressure sensor array. Présentation d’abrégé, 46th Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society, Tokyo, Japon, 15 septembre 2016.
Cacciari L, Kruger J, Goodman J, Budgett D, Dumoulin C. (2018) #317 Reliability of intravaginal pressure measurements during maximal voluntary pelvic floor muscle contraction and Valsalva in lying and standing positions. Présentation d’abrégé, 48th Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society, Philadelphie, États-Unis, 28-3 août 2018.
Reman T, Cacciari L, Voelkl Guevara J, Malcolm D, Budgett D, Kruger J, Dumoulin C. (2020) #522 Intravaginal pressure profile during two diaphragmatic aspiration tasks in women with stress urinary incontinence: a cross sectional study. Présentation d’abrégé, 50th Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society, virtuel, 19-22 novembre 2020. Neurourology and Urodynamics, July;39(S2):S411-S412. doi:10.1002/nau.24455
Pedofsky L, Budgett D, Nemec K, Nielsen P, Dumoulin C, Kruger J. (2020) #27 Urine luck! Design and development of a mobile application for an intra-vaginal device intended for pelvic floor muscle training. Présentation d’abrégé, 50th Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society, virtuel, 19-22 novembre 2020.
Meng L, Mont-Briant S, Dumoulin C, Kruger J. (2024) #278 Evaluation of pelvic floor muscle function in women with urinary incontinence using femfit®. Présentation d’abrégé, 54th Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society, Madrid, Espagne, 23-25 octobre 2024. Continence, October;12(S):101620. doi:10.1016/j.cont.2024.101620
5. GROUP: Group-based vs individual pelvic floor physiotherapy to treat urinary incontinence in women over age 60
Investigator: Chantale Dumoulin, PhD
Collaborators: Mélanie Morin, PhD, Marie-Hélène Mayrand, MD, Michel Tousignant, PhD, Michael Abrahamowicz, PhD
Results: In this noninferiority randomized clinical trial of 362 older women with urinary incontinence, the median percentage reduction in incontinence episodes after one year was 70% for participants undergoing individual pelvic floor muscle physiotherapy (PFMT) compared to 74% for those in the group-based intervention. The difference between groups fell below the noninferiority margin of 10%, supporting noninferiority of group-based PFMT. Widespread use in clinical practice could increase urinary incontinence treatment capacity for older women.
Publications:
Dumoulin C, Morin M, Mayrand MH, Tousignant M. (2017) Group physiotherapy compared individual physiotherapy to treat urinary incontinence in aging women: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. November 16;18:544. doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2261-4
Dumoulin C, Morin M, Danielli C, Cacciari L, Mayrand M, Tousignant M, Abrahamovick M. (2020) Group-based versus individual pelvic floor muscle training to treat urinary incontinence in older women. JAMA Internal Medicine. October 1;180(10):1284-1293. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.2993.
Cacciari L, Morin M, Mayrand M, Tousignant M, Abrahamovick M, Dumoulin C. (2021) Pelvic floor morphometrical and functional changes immediately after pelvic floor muscle training and at 1‐year follow‐up, in older incontinent women. Neurourology and Urodynamics. January;40(1):245-255. doi:10.1002/nau.24542.
Cacciari L, Kouakou C, Poder T, Vale L, Morin M, Mayrand M, Tousignant M, Dumoulin C. (2022) Group-based pelvic floor muscle training is a more cost-effective approach to treat urinary incontinence in older women : economic analysis of a randomised trial. Journal of Physiotherapy. June 23;68(3):191-196. doi:10.1016/j.jphys.2022.06.001.
Larequi Y, Cacciari L, Kouakoue C, Poder T, Vale L, Morin M, Mayrand MH, Tousignant M, Dumoulin C. (2024) L’entraînement des muscles du plancher pelvien en groupe est une approche plus rentable pour traiter l’incontinence urinaire chez les femmes âgées : analyse économique d’un essai randomisé. Mains Libres. March 20;41(1):53. doi:10.55498/MAINSLIBRES.2024.12.1.53
Carrier-Noreau G, Le Berre M, Mercier J, Mont-Briant S, Dumoulin C. (2025) Group intervention for pelvic floor muscle dysfunctions in postmenopausal women: tips and tricks for a successful practice: ICS 2023 workshop. Continence. September;15:101906. doi:10.1016/j.cont.2025.101906
6. Impact of a pelvic floor muscle training program on symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause in postmenopausal women
Investigators: Joanie Mercier, PhD candidate, Chantale Dumoulin, PhD and Mélanie Morin, PhD
Collaborators: Barbara Reichetzer, MD, Dina Zaki, MD, Marie-Claude Lemieux, MD, An Tang, MD, Samir Khalifé, MD
Results: Thirty-two women participated in this cohort study. The study completion rate was high (91%), as was participation in treatment sessions (96%) and in-home exercises (95%). Post-intervention, there were significant reductions in the signs and symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause, as well as on impacts on activities of daily living, quality of life and sexual function. Our findings suggest that pelvic floor muscle training improves blood flow in vulvovaginal tissues, the relaxation capacity of the pelvic floor muscles, and vulvovaginal tissue elasticity in postmenopausal women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause. A randomized clinical trial is necessary.
Doctoral thesis: Mercier J. (2020) Impact d’un programme d’exercices des muscles du plancher pelvien sur les signes et symptômes du syndrome génitourinaire de la ménopause chez la femme post-ménopausée. Papyrus, Collections Thèses et mémoires électroniques de l’Université de Montréal, Faculté de médecine.
Publications:
Mercier J, Morin M, Lemieux MC, Reichetzer B, Khalifé S, Dumoulin C. (2016) Pelvic floor muscle training to reduce symptoms and signs of vulvovaginal atrophy: a case study. Menopause. July;23(7):816-820. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000000620
Mercier J, Tang A, Morin M, Khalifé S, Lemieux MC, Reichetzer B, Dumoulin C. (2018) Test‐retest reliability of clitoral blood flow measurements using color Doppler ultrasonography at rest and after a pelvic floor contraction task in healthy adult women. Neurourology and Urodynamics. September;37(7):2249-2256. doi:10.1002/nau.23582
Mercier J, Tang A, Morin M, Lemieux MC, Khalifé S, Reichetzer B, Dumoulin C. (2018) Test–retest reliability of internal pudendal artery blood flow using color Doppler ultrasound in healthy women. International Urogynecology Journal. December;29(12):1817-1824. doi:10.1007/s00192-018-3615-5
Mercier J, Morin M, Reichetzer B, Lemieux MC, Khalifé S, Dumoulin C. (2018) Genitourinary syndrome of menopause symptom severity and impact outcome measures: are they reliable and correlated? Menopause. December 28;26(6):659-664. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000001287
Mercier J, Morin M, Zaki D, Reichetzer B, Lemieux MC, Khalifé S, Dumoulin C. (2019) Pelvic floor muscle training as a treatment for genitourinary syndrome of menopause: a single-arm feasibility study. Maturitas. July;125:57-62. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2019.03.002
Mercier J, Tang A, Morin M, Lemieux MC, Khalifé S, Reichetzer B, Dumoulin C. (2020) Impact d’un programme d’exercices des muscles du plancher pelvien sur la vascularisation pelvi-périnéale de femmes avec syndrome génito-urinaire de la ménopause. Revue Physio-Québec, Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec. Automne 2019-Hiver 2020;46(2):28-31.
Mercier J, Morin M, Tang A, Richetzer B, Lemieux MC, Khalifé S, Zaki D, Gougeon F, Dumoulin C. (2020) Pelvic floor training: mechanisms of action for the improvement of genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Climacteric. October;23(5):468-473. doi:10.1080/13697137.2020.1724942
Mercier J, Dumoulin C, Carrier-Noreau G. (2023) Pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation for genitourinary syndrome of menopause: why, how and when? Climateric. August;26(4):302-308. doi:10.1080/13697137.2023.2194527
7. The effects of a strong desire to void on gait in incontinent and continent older community‐dwelling women at risk of falls
Investigators: Marie‐Hélène Paquin, Master’s student, Chantale Dumoulin, PhD, Cyril Duclos, PhD
Collaborators: Nolween Lapierre, PhD, Lucie Dubreucq, MSc, Melanie Morin, PhD, Jean Meunier, PhD, Jacqueline Rousseau, PhD
Results: This quasi-experimental pilot study included 32 older women who experienced falls (incontinent : n=15; continent: n=17). Strong desire to void reduced gait velocity and stride width regardless of continence status in older women at risk of falls. Furthermore, urinary incontinence severity in incontinent women was correlated to reduced gait velocity and increased variability. Our findings could explain the higher fall rate in this population.
Memoir: Paquin MH. (2019) Caractéristiques de la marche avec et sans l’envie pressante d’uriner chez la femme âgée chuteuse avec ou sans incontinence. Papyrus, Collections Thèses et mémoires électroniques de l’Université de Montréal, Faculté de médecine.
Publications:
Lapierre N, Meunier J, Filiatrault J, St-Arnaud A, Paquin MH, Duclos C, Dubreucq L, Moffet H, Morin M, Milot MH, Dumoulin C, Rousseau J. (2016) A methodology of implementing a videomonitoring system in community-dwelling elderly. Gerontechnology Journal. Janyary;15(suppl):87. doi:10.4017/gt.2016.15.s.809.00
Lapierre N, Meunier J, St-Arnaud A, Filiatrault J, Paquin MH, Duclos C, Dumoulin C, Rousseau J. (2018) Older women’s perceptions of a programmable video monitoring system at home: a pilot study. Gerontechnology Journal. December;17(4):245-254. doi:10.4017/gt.2018.17.4.006.00
Paquin MH, Duclos C, Lapierre N, Dubreucq L, Morin J, Meunier J, (. . .) Dumoulin C. (2020) The effects of a strong desire to void on gait for incontinent and continent older community‐dwelling women at risk of falls. Neurourology and Urodynamics. February;39(2):642-649. doi:10.1002/nau.24234
Paquin MH, Duclos C, Dubreucq L, Lapierre N, Rousseau J, Meunier J, Filiatrault J, Morin M, Dumoulin, C. (2021) L’effet d’une envie pressante d’uriner sur les paramètres de marche des femmes âgées ayant des antécédents de chute, qu’elles soient continentes ou incontinentes. Revue Physio-Québec, Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec. Hiver;47(1):30-33.
8. Characteristics of lower limb muscle strength, balance, mobility and function in older women with urge and mixed urinary incontinence: an observational pilot study
Investigators: Mélanie Le Berre, Master’s student, Chantale Dumoulin, PhD
Results: The results from this pilot study including 40 older women suggest that high-functioning older women with urge or mixed urinary incontinence have balance and mobility impairments. More studies are needed to confirm these results. By reporting power calculations for sample size, this pilot study provides a useful foundation for the design and administration of larger studies.
Memoir: Le Berre M. (2018) Comparaison de la force musculaire des membres inférieurs, de l’équilibre, de la mobilité et de la fonction chez les femmes âgées avec incontinence urinaire d’urgence ou mixte et les femmes âgées sans incontinence. Papyrus, Collections Thèses et mémoires électroniques de l’Université de Montréal, Faculté de médecine.
Publications:
Le Berre M, Dumoulin C. (2019) Characteristics of lower limb muscle strength, balance, mobility and function in older women with urge and mixed urinary incontinence: an observational pilot study. Physiotherapy Canada. Summer;71(3):250-260. doi:10.3138/ptc.2018-30
Le Berre M, Dumoulin C. (2020) Force, équilibre, mobilité et fonction des femmes âgées avec incontinence urinaire: une revue de littérature. Kinésithérapie, la revue. October;20(226):3-20. doi:10.1016/j.kine.2020.05.020
Le Berre M, Morin M, Corriveau H, Hamel M, Dupuis K, Filiatrault J, Lefebvre I, Nadeau S, Dumoulin C. (2023) Force musculaire des membres inférieurs, équilibre, locomotion et fonction des femmes âgées avec incontinence urinaire d’urgence ou mixte et des femmes âgées sans incontinence. Revue Physio-Québec, Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec. Hiver;49(1):28-32.
9. Virtual reality rehabilitation as a treatment approach for older women with mixed urinary incontinence: a feasibility study
Investigators: Valérie Elliott, Master’s student, Chantale Dumoulin, PhD, Eling D. de Bruin, PhD
Results: Twenty-four women participated in this feasibility study. 91% of participants attended the weekly treatment sessions, 92% adhered to home exercise and 96% completed the three evaluations. Post-intervention, the frequency and quantity of urine leakage decreased and patient-reported symptoms and quality of life improved significantly. Most participants (91%) were very satisfied with treatment .
Memoir: Elliott V. (2013) L’utilisation de la réadaptation par la réalité virtuelle pour traiter l’incontinence urinaire mixte de la femme âgée: une étude de faisabilité. Papyrus, Collections Thèses et mémoires électroniques de l’Université de Montréal, Faculté de médecine.
Publications:
Lussier M, Renaud M, Chiva-Razavi S, Bherer L, Dumoulin C. (2013) Are stress and mixed urinary incontinence associated with impaired executive control in community-dwelling older women? Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology. 35(5):445-454. doi:10.1080/13803395.2013.789483
Fraser S, Elliott V, DeBruin E, Bherer L, Dumoulin C. (2014) The effects of combined video game dancing and pelvic floor training to improve dual-task gait and cognition in women with mixed-urinary incontinence. Games for Health Journal. June;3(3):172-178. doi:10.1089/g4h.2013.0095
Elliott V, DeBruin E, Dumoulin C. (2015) Virtual reality rehabilitation as a treatment approach for older women with mixed urinary incontinence: a feasibility study. Neurourology and Urodynamics. March;34(3):236-243. doi:10.1002/nau.22553
10. Effects of pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation on pelvic floor muscle function and morphology in older women
Investigators: Chantale Dumoulin, PhD, Stephanie Madill, PhD, Stéphanie Pontbriand-Drolet, MSC, An Tang, MD
Results: Older women with symptoms of stress or mixed urinary incontinence presented different morphological defects at rest during magnetic resonance imaging compared to continent older women. After a pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) program, fewer urine leakage episodes occurred along with improvements in pelvic floor muscle coordination, motor control and pelvic organ support. Finally, results showed that a urethro-vesical junction height of at least 11.4 mm at rest appears to be predictive of a response to PFMT in older women with urinary incontinence.
Memoir: Pontbriand‐Drolet S. (2012) Étude comparative de la morphologie du plancher pelvien des femmes âgées continentes et avec incontinence urinaire. Papyrus, Collections Thèses et mémoires électroniques de l’Université de Montréal, Faculté de médecine.
Publications :
Madill S, Tang A, Pontbriand-Drolet S, Dumoulin C. (2011) Comparison of two methods for measuring the pubococcygeal line from sagittal-plane magnetic resonance imaging. Neurourology and Urodynamics. November;30(8):1613-1619. doi:10.1002/nau.21079
Madill S, Pontbriand-Drolet S, Tang A, Dumoulin C. (2013) Effects of pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation on PFM function and morphology in older women. Neurourology and Urodynamics. November;32(8):1086-1095. doi:10.1002/nau.22370
Madill S, Pontbriand-Drolet S, Tang A, Dumoulin C. (2015) Changes in urethral sphincter size following rehabilitation in older women with stress urinary incontinence. International Urogynecology Journal. February;26(2):277-283. doi:10.1007/s00192-014-2507-6
Pontbriand‐Drolet S, Tang A, Madill S, Tannenbaum C, Lemieux MC, Corcos J, Dumoulin C. (2016) Differences in pelvic floor morphology between continent, stress urinary incontinent, and mixed urinary incontinent elderly women: An MRI study. Neurourology and Urodynamics. April;35(4):515-521. doi:10.1002/nau.22743
Dumoulin C, Tang A, Pontbriand-Drolet S, Maddill S, Morin M. (2017) Pelvic floor morphometry: a predictor of pelvic floor muscle training’s success for women with stress and mixed urinary incontinence. International Urogyneacology Journal. August;28(8):1223-1239. doi:10.1007/s00192-016-3254-7
11. Transperineal ultrasound to study pelvic floor morphometry and pelvic floor trauma in women with and without urinary incontinence
Investigators: Jenny Kruger, Postdoctoral Fellow, Chantale Dumoulin, PhD
Results: Using 3D/4D TPU imaging, we found that adding the parameter "width between insertion sites" during digital evaluation to detect the presence of levator ani muscle avulsion gave the best results. This was achieved without the expensive equipment costs (ultrasound), additional expertise, and time.
In another 3D/4D TP imaging study, we observed statistically significant differences between incontinent and continent older women. At rest, the levator hiatal area and transverse diameter were larger and the pelvic floor muscles position was lower in the incontinent group. During maximal voluntary contraction, all axial plane parameters were bigger in the incontinent group. In the sagittal plane, pelvic floor muscles position was lower in the group with mixed urinary incontience. During Valsalva, the anorectal angle was wider in the women with stress urinary incontinence.
Publications :
Kruger J, Dietz HP, Budgett SC, Dumoulin C. (2014) Comparison between transperineal ultrasound and digital dectection of levator ani trauma. Can we improve the odds? Neurourology and Urodynamics. March;33(3):307-311. doi:10.1002/nau.22386
Fradet S, Morin M, Kruger J, Dumoulin C. (2017) Pelvic floor morphometric differences in elderly women with or without urinary incontinence. Physiotherapy Canada. October;70(1):49-56. doi:10.3138/ptc.2016-48
12. Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment, or inactive control treatments, for urinary incontinence in women: a systematic review
Investigators: Chantale Dumoulin, PhD, Licia Cacciari, PhD, Jean Hay-Smith, PhD
Results: Based on the data available, we can be confident that pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) can cure or improve symptoms of stress urinary incontinence and all other types of urinary incontinence. It may reduce the number of leakage episodes, the quantity of leakage on the short pad tests in the clinic, as well as symptoms on urinary incontinence‐specific symptom questionnaires. The authors of an economic evaluation identified for the Brief Economic Commentary reported that the cost‐effectiveness of PFMT looks promising. The findings of the review suggest that that PFMT could be included in first‐line conservative management programs in women with urinary incontinence. The long‐term effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of PFMT requires further research.
Publications:
Hay-Smith J, Dumoulin C. (2006) Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment, or inactive control treatments, for urinary incontinence in women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. January 25;(1):CD005654. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005654.
Dumoulin C, Hay-Smith J. (2008) Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment for urinary incontinence in women. A Cochrane systematic Review. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. March;44:47-63.
Dumoulin C, Hay-Smith J. (2010) Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment, or inactive control treatments, for urinary incontinence in women. Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews. January 20;(1):CD005654. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005654.pub2
Dumoulin C, Hay-Smith J, MacHabbée-Séguin G. (2014) Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment, or inactive control treatments, for urinary incontinence in women. Cochrane Database System Review. May 14;5:CD005654. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005654.pub3
Dumoulin C, Hay-Smith J, MacHabée-Séguin G, Mercier J. (2015) Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment, or inactive control treatments, for urinary incontinence in women: A short version Cochrane systematic review with meta-analysis. Neurourology and Urodynamics. April;34(4):300-308. doi:10.1002/nau.22700
Dumoulin C, Cacciari L, Hay-smith J. (2018) Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment, or inactive control treatments, for urinary incontinence in women. Cochrane Database System Review. October 4;10:1465-1858. CD005654. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005654.pub4
Cacciari L, Dumoulin C, Hay-Smith J. (2019) Pelvic floor muscle training versus no treatment, or inactive control treatments, for urinary incontinence in women: a Cochrane systematic review abridged republication. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy. March-April;23(2):93-107. doi:10.1016/j.bjpt.2019.01.002
13. Physiotherapy for persistent postnatal stress urinary incontinence: A randomized controlled trial
Investigators: Chantale Dumoulin, PhD, Marie-Claude Lemieux, MD, Daniel Bourbonnais, PhD
Results: Sixty-four women with stress urinary incontinence were randomly assigned to eight weeks of either multimodal pelvic floor rehabilitation (n=21), multimodal pelvic floor rehabilitation with abdominal muscle training (n=23), or non-pelvic floor rehabilitation (n=20) (control). Post-intervention, more than 70% of the women in the treatment groups (14/20 in the pelvic floor and 17/23 in the pelvic floor plus abdominal group) were continent on pad testing compared with 0% of women in the control group. Scores on the pad test, Visual Analog Scale, Urogenital Distress Inventory, and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire improved significantly in both treatment groups, whereas no changes were observed in the control group. Pelvic floor muscle function, however, did not improve significantly in either active group. Moreover, results showed that the benefits of physiotherapy for postpartum stress urinary incontinence were still present 7 years post-treatment, although not as pronounced as immediately after the initial intervention.
Memoir: Martin C.(2008) Suivi à long terme de l’efficacité d’un traitement de physiothérapie sur l’incontinence urinaire d’effort persistante en période postnatale. Papyrus, Collections Thèses et mémoires électroniques de l’Université de Montréal, Faculté de médecine.
Publications:
Dumoulin C, Lemieux MC, Bourbonnais D, Gravel D, Bravo G, Morin M. (2004) Physiotherapy for persistent postnatal stress urinary incontinence: a randomized controlled trial. Obstetrics & Gynecology. September;104(3):504-510. doi:10.1097/01.AOG.0000135274.92416.62
Dumoulin C, Martin C, Elliott V, Bourbonnais D, Morin M, Lemieux MC, Gauthier R. (2013) Randomized controlled trial of physiotherapy for postpartum stress incontinence: 7-year follow-up. Neurourology and Urodynamics. June;32(5):449-454. doi:10.1002/nau.22330
Multicenter projects
1. Muscular properties of the pelvic floor in endometrial cancer survivors with urogenital symptoms who were treated with radiotherapy
Investigators: Stéphanie Bernard, Master’s student, Hélène Moffet, PhD and Chantale Dumoulin, PhD
Results:
There is some evidence that radiation therapy has detrimental impacts on pelvic floor muscle structure and function. A better understanding of muscle damage and dysfunction following radiotherapy treatment may prevent of its detrimental impacts and improve pelvic floor rehabilitation.
Memoir: Bernard S. (2016) Fonction et structure des muscles du plancher pelvien de femmes traitées par chirurgie et radiothérapie à la suite d'un cancer de l'endomètre. Bibliothèque de l’Université Laval. Thèses et mémoires.
Publications :
Bernard S, Ouellet MP, Moffet H, Roy JS, Dumoulin C. (2016) Effects of radiation therapy on the structure and function of the pelvic floor muscles of patients with cancer in the pelvic area: a systematic review. Journal of Cancer Survivorship: Research and Practice. April;10(2):351-362. doi:10.1007/s11764-015-0481-8
Bernard S, Moffet H, Ouellet MP, Plante M, Leblond J, Dumoulin C. (2016) Les propriétés fonctionnelles du plancher pelvien de femmes souffrant d'incontinence urinaire à la suite d’un cancer de l'endomètre traité par chirurgie et radiothérapie : une étude exploratoire. Revue Physio-Québec, Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec. Automne-Hiver;43(2):26-27.
Bernard S, Moffet H, Plante M, Ouellet MP, Dumoulin C. (2017) Pelvic floor properties in women reporting urinary incontinence after surgery and radiotherapy for endometrial cancer. Physical Therapy. April;97(4):438-448. doi:10.1093/ptj/pzx012
2. Feasibility study evaluating the effect of physiotherapy treatments in gynecological cancer survivors with dyspareunia
Investigators: Marie-Pierre Cyr, PhD candidate, Mélanie Morin, PhD and Chantale Dumoulin, PhD
Results:
Pain intensity, pain quality, sexual function, pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms and quality of life were measured at baseline and post-treatment. The adherence rate was 88%. 29/31 (94%) women attended ≥10 treatment sessions, and the dropout rate was 3%. Moreover, participants experienced significant improvements in all outcomes after the intervention (p ≤ 0.044). They also reported being highly satisfied with the treatment (9.3/10), and 90% of them stated that they were “very much” or “much improved”.
Doctoral Thesis: Cyr MP. (2021) Traitement multimodal en physiothérapie pour réduire la dyspareunie chez les survivantes d’un cancer gynécologique : une étude pilote multicentrique avec méthodes mixtes. Savoirs UdeS, Collection Médecine et sciences de la santé - Thèses de l’Université de Sherbrooke.
Publications :
Cyr MP, Dumoulin C, Bessette P, Pina A, Gotlieb WH, Lapointe-Milot K, Mayrand M, Morin M. (2020) Feasibility, acceptability and effects of multimodal pelvic floor physical therapy for gynecological cancer survivors suffering from painful sexual intercourse: a multicenter prospective interventional study. Gynecologic Oncology. December;159(3):778-784. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.09.001
Cyr MP, Dumoulin C, Bessette P, Pina A, Gotlieb WH, Lapointe-Milot K, Mayrand M, Morin M. (2021) Characterizing pelvic-floor muscle function and morphometry in gynecological cancer survivors who have dyspareunia: a comparative cross-sectional study. Physical Therapy. April;101(4):pzab042. doi:10.1093/ptj/pzab042
Cyr MP, Dumoulin C, Bessette P, Pina A, Gotlieb WH, Lapointe-Milot K, Mayrand M, Morin M. (2021) A prospective single-arm study evaluating the effects of a multimodal physical therapy intervention on psychosexual outcomes in women with dyspareunia after gynecologic cancer. Journal of Sexual Medicine. May;18(5):946−954. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.02.014
Morin M, Cyr MP, Dostie R, Camden C, Dumoulin C, Bessette P, Pina A, Gotlieb WH, Lapointe-Milot K, Mayrand MH. (2022) Improvements following multimodal pelvic floor physical therapy in gynecological cancer survivors suffering from pain during sexual intercourse: Results from a one-year follow-up mixed-method study. PLoS One. January 25;17(1):e0262844. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0262844
Cyr MP, Dumoulin C, Bessette P, Pina A, Gotlieb WH, Lapointe-Milot K, Mayrand M, Morin M. (2022) Changes in pelvic floor morphometry and muscle function after multimodal physiotherapy for gynaecological cancer survivors suffering from dyspareunia: a prospective interventional study. Physiotherapy. March;114:54-62. doi:10.1016/j.physio.2021.09.003
Cyr MP, Dostie R, Candem C, Dumoulin C, Bessette P, Pina A, Gotlieb WH, Lapointe-Milot K, Mayrand MH, Morin M. (2022) Acceptability of multimodal pelvic floor physical therapy to treat dyspareunia after gynecological malignancies: a qualitative study of women's views and experiences. International Urogynecology Journal. August 10;34(5):1061-1073. doi:10.1007/s00192-022-05304-4.
Cyr MP, Camden C, Dumoulin C, Dostie R, Bessette P, Pina A, Gotlieb WH, Lapointe-Milot K, Mayrand MH, Morin M. (2023) Gynecological Cancer Survivors' Experiences of Dyspareunia and Factors Influencing Care-Seeking Behavior: A Qualitative Study. Archives of Sexual Behavior. August;52(6):2669-2681. doi:10.1007/s10508-023-02589-4
3. Efficacy of physiotherapy for stress urinary incontinence in women with known puborectalis muscle avulsion injuries: A randomized controlled trial
Investigators: Mélanie Morin, PhD, Chantale Dumoulin, PhD
Results: This study confirms that pelvic floor muscle morphometry and function were impaired in primiparous women with puborectalis avulsion in the early postpartum period. Moreover, it highlights specific muscle parameters that are altered, such as passive properties, strength, speed of contraction, and endurance.
Publications:
Cyr MP, Kruger J, Wong V, Dumoulin C, Girard I, Morin M. (2017) Pelvic floor morphometry and function in women with and without puborectalis avulsion in the early postpartum period. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. March;216(3):274.e1-274.e8. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2016.11.1049
Abstracts:
Morin M, Dumoulin C, Kruger J, Wong V, Tu LM, Girard I, Mayrand MH, Brûlé K, Dubois M. (2025) #30 Efficacy of multimodal physiotherapy treatment for urinary incontinence in women with a known levator ani avulsion injury: A multicenter randomized controlled trial. Présentation d’abrégé, Joint Meeting of the International Continence Society (ICS) and Emirates Urological Society (EUS), Abu Dhabi, Émirats arabes unis, 17-20 September 2025. Continence, 2025;15(Suppl) :101954. doi:10.1016/j.cont.2025.101954
Tousignant A, Tu LM, Dumoulin C, Kruger J, Wong V, Brûlé K, Girard I, Mayrand MH, Dubois M, Morin M. (2025) #31 Impact of the Severity of Levator ani Avulsion on Multimodal Physiotherapy Treatment response: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Présentation d’abrégé, Joint Meeting of the International Continence Society (ICS) and Emirates Urological Society (EUS), Abu Dhabi, Émirats arabes unis, 17-20 September 2025. Continence, 2025;15(Suppl) :101955. doi:10.1016/j.cont.2025.101955