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Sexual Medicine Reviews Apr 2022Hypertonicity of the pelvic floor (PFH) is a disabling condition with urological, gynecological and gastrointestinal symptoms, sexual problems and chronic pelvic pain,... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Hypertonicity of the pelvic floor (PFH) is a disabling condition with urological, gynecological and gastrointestinal symptoms, sexual problems and chronic pelvic pain, impacting quality of life. Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) is a first-line intervention, yet no systematic review on the efficacy of PFPT for the treatment of PFH has been conducted.
OBJECTIVES
To systematically appraise the current literature on efficacy of PFPT modalities related to PFH.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, Emcare, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception until February 2020. A manual search from reference lists of included articles was performed. Ongoing trials were reviewed using clinicaltrial.gov. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective - and retrospective cohorts and case-study analyses were included. Outcome measures were pelvic floor muscle tone and function, pain reports, sexual function, pelvic floor symptom scores, quality of life and patients' perceived effect.
RESULTS
The literature search resulted in 10 eligible studies including 4 RCTs, 5 prospective studies, and 1 case study published between 2000 and 2019. Most studies had a high risk of bias associated with the lack of a comparison group, insufficient sample sizes and non-standardized interventions. Six studies were of low and 4 of medium quality. All studies were narratively reviewed. Three of 4 RCTs found positive effects of PFPT compared to controls on five out of 6 outcome measures. The prospective studies found significant improvements in all outcome measures that were assessed. PFPT seems to be efficacious in patients with chronic prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, vulvodynia, and dyspareunia. Smallest effects were seen in patients with interstitial cystitis and painful bladder syndrome.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this systematic review suggest that PFPT can be beneficial in patients with PFH. Further high-quality RCTs should be performed to confirm the effectiveness of PFPT in the treatment of PFH. van Reijn-Baggen DA, Han-Geurts IJM, Voorham-van der Zalm PJ, et al. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Pelvic Floor Hypertonicity: A Systematic Review of Treatment Efficacy. Sex Med Rev 2022;10:209-230.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Pelvic Floor; Pelvic Floor Disorders; Pelvic Pain; Physical Therapy Modalities; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34127429
DOI: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2021.03.002 -
American Journal of Obstetrics &... Nov 2021Vaginal birth is the major cause of pelvic floor damage. The development of transperineal ultrasound has improved our understanding of the relationship between vaginal... (Review)
Review
Vaginal birth is the major cause of pelvic floor damage. The development of transperineal ultrasound has improved our understanding of the relationship between vaginal birth and pelvic floor dysfunction. The female pelvic floor dimensions and function can be assessed reliably in pregnant women. Maternal pushing associated with pelvic floor muscle relaxation is the central requirement of vaginal birth. Many studies have evaluated the role of the pelvic floor on labor outcomes. Smaller levator hiatal dimensions and incomplete or absent levator ani muscle relaxation seem to be associated with a longer duration of the second stage of labor and a higher risk of cesarean and operative deliveries. Here, we presented an overview of the current knowledge of the correlation between female pelvic floor dimension and function, as assessed by transperineal ultrasound, and labor outcome.
Topics: Delivery, Obstetric; Female; Humans; Labor, Obstetric; Pelvic Floor; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 34365028
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2021.100452 -
Archivos Espanoles de Urologia Feb 2023Urinary incontinence in the postpartum period is related to biomechanical and hormonal changes that occur during the obstetric period and also related to perineal trauma... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Urinary incontinence in the postpartum period is related to biomechanical and hormonal changes that occur during the obstetric period and also related to perineal trauma during childbirth. Physiotherapy is currently presented as one of the conservative options for the treatment of urinary incontinence at this stage, so this review aims to go over scientific literature to assess the effect of physiotherapy on postpartum urinary incontinence.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
In February 2022, a bibliographic search was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, Medline, PeDRO and Sport Discuss databases. Studies published within the last 10 years and randomized clinical trials that used physiotherapy techniques for the treatment of postpartum urinary incontinence were identified, but those articles that differ from the objective of the work and those that were duplicated in the databases were excluded.
RESULTS
Out of the 51 articles identified, 8 were finally included that fit the criteria and the subject of the study. Regarding the intervention, we have found that all the articles refer to pelvic floor muscle training. In addition to urinary incontinence, these studies evaluated other variables such as strength, resistance, quality of life and sexual function, obtaining significant results in 6 out of all the studies consulted.
CONCLUSIONS
Pelvic floor muscle training is beneficial for the treatment of urinary incontinence in the postpartum period, then supervised and controlled exercise combined with a home training routine is recommended. It is not clear whether the benefits are maintained over time.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Quality of Life; Exercise Therapy; Pelvic Floor; Urinary Incontinence; Postpartum Period; Physical Therapy Modalities
PubMed: 36914417
DOI: 10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20237601.2 -
Anatomical Science International Jul 2023The purpose of this review is to present our researches on the pelvic outlet muscles, including the pelvic floor and perineal muscles, which are responsible for urinary... (Review)
Review
The purpose of this review is to present our researches on the pelvic outlet muscles, including the pelvic floor and perineal muscles, which are responsible for urinary function, defecation, sexual function, and core stability, and to discuss the insights into the mechanism of pelvic floor stabilization based on the findings. Our studies are conducted using a combination of macroscopic examination, immunohistological analysis, 3D reconstruction, and imaging. Unlike most previous reports, this article describes not only on skeletal muscle but also on smooth muscle structures in the pelvic floor and perineum to encourage new understanding. The skeletal muscles of the pelvic outlet are continuous, which means that they share muscle bundles. They form three muscle slings that pass anterior and posterior to the anal canal, thus serving as the foundation of pelvic floor support. The smooth muscle of the pelvic outlet, in addition to forming the walls of the viscera, also extends in three dimensions. This continuous smooth muscle occupies the central region of the pelvic floor and perineum, thus revising the conventional understanding of the perineal body. At the interface between the levator ani and pelvic viscera, smooth muscle forms characteristic structures that transfer the lifting power of the levator ani to the pelvic viscera. The findings suggest new concepts of pelvic floor stabilization mechanisms, such as dynamic coordination between skeletal and smooth muscles. These two types of muscles possibly coordinate the direction and force of muscle contraction with each other.
Topics: Pelvic Floor; Perineum; Muscle, Skeletal; Muscle, Smooth; Anal Canal
PubMed: 36961619
DOI: 10.1007/s12565-023-00717-7 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Mar 2022: In recent years, the use of radiofrequency diathermy in pelvic floor disorders has grown proportionally to the interest in this specialty. Despite the common use of... (Review)
Review
: In recent years, the use of radiofrequency diathermy in pelvic floor disorders has grown proportionally to the interest in this specialty. Despite the common use of this therapy among pelvic floor physiotherapists, little is known about its effects and effectiveness in pelvic floor disorders. For this reason, the aim of the present review is to assess the effects of non-invasive 300 kHz-1 MHz radiofrequency diathermy in the treatment of pelvic floor disorders. : A literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, searching for any type of study that included pelvic floor disorder participants and an experimental group treated with non-invasive nor ablative radiofrequency diathermy. : There were a total of 578 studies after removing duplicates. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, resulting in a total of 15 studies, which were methodologically assessed with PEDro and the Newcastle and Ottawa scale. : Despite the low quality of most of them, the studies showed improvements in urinary incontinence, pelvic pain conditions, pelvic floor muscles strength and sexual function. These findings must be considered with caution until more randomized clinical trials are performed to solve the biases detected.
Topics: Diathermy; Exercise Therapy; Humans; Pelvic Floor; Pelvic Floor Disorders; Urinary Incontinence
PubMed: 35334613
DOI: 10.3390/medicina58030437 -
American Journal of Obstetrics and... Jan 2020Pelvic floor disorders (including urinary and anal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse) are associated with childbirth. Injury to the pelvic floor muscles during...
BACKGROUND
Pelvic floor disorders (including urinary and anal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse) are associated with childbirth. Injury to the pelvic floor muscles during vaginal childbirth, such as avulsion of the levator ani muscle, is associated with weaker pelvic floor muscle strength. As weak pelvic floor muscle strength may be a modifiable risk factor for the later development of pelvic floor disorders, it is important to understand how pelvic floor muscle strength affects the course of pelvic floor disorders over time.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between pelvic floor muscle strength and the incidence of pelvic floor disorders, and to identify maternal and obstetrical characteristics that modify the association.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This is a longitudinal study investigating pelvic floor disorders after childbirth. Participants were recruited 5-10 years after their first delivery and were assessed for pelvic floor disorders annually for up to 9 years. Stress incontinence, overactive bladder, and anal incontinence were assessed at each annual visit using the Epidemiology of Prolapse and Incontinence Questionnaire. Pelvic organ prolapse was assessed on physical examination, and was defined as descent of the vaginal walls or cervix beyond the hymen during forceful Valsalva. The primary exposure of interest was pelvic floor muscle strength, defined as the peak pressure during a voluntary pelvic muscle contraction (measured with a perineometer). The relationship between pelvic floor muscle strength and the cumulative incidence (time to event) of each pelvic floor disorder was evaluated using lognormal models, stratified by vaginal vs cesarean delivery. The relative hazard for each pelvic floor disorder (among those women free of the disorder at enrollment and thus more than 5-10 years from first delivery), was estimated using semiparametric proportional hazard models as a function of delivery mode, pelvic floor muscle strength, and other covariates.
RESULTS
Of 1143 participants, the median age was 40 (interquartile range, 36.6-43.7) years, and 73% were multiparous. On perineometry, women with at least 1 vaginal delivery were more likely to have a low peak pressure, defined as <20 cm HO (243 of 588 women with at least 1 vaginal delivery vs 107 of 555 women who delivered all of their children by cesarean delivery, P < .001). Among women who had at least 1 vaginal delivery, a pelvic floor muscle strength of <20 cm HO was associated with a shorter time to event for stress incontinence (time ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.50-0.90), overactive bladder (time ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.51-0.86), and pelvic organ prolapse (time ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.65-0.88). No such association was found among women who delivered all of their children by cesarean delivery. Among women with at least 1 vaginal delivery and considering only pelvic floor disorders that developed during study observation (5-10 years after the first delivery), and controlling for maternal characteristics (body mass index and genital hiatus), women who had a peak pressure of <20 cm HO had hazard ratios (relative to ≥20 cm HO) of 1.16 (95% confidence interval, 0.74-1.81) for stress incontinence, 1.27 (95% confidence interval, 0.78-2.05) for overactive bladder, and 1.43 (95% confidence interval, 0.99-2.07) for pelvic organ prolapse. Among women who delivered all of their children by cesarean delivery, there was no association between muscle strength and relative hazard of pelvic floor disorders when controlling for maternal characteristics.
CONCLUSION
After vaginal delivery, but not cesarean delivery, the cumulative incidence of pelvic organ prolapse, stress incontinence, and overactive bladder is associated with pelvic muscle strength, but the associations attenuate when adjusting for genital hiatus and body mass index.
Topics: Adult; Body Mass Index; Cesarean Section; Delivery, Obstetric; Fecal Incontinence; Female; Humans; Incidence; Longitudinal Studies; Muscle Strength; Pelvic Floor; Pelvic Floor Disorders; Pelvic Organ Prolapse; Proportional Hazards Models; Urinary Bladder, Overactive; Urinary Incontinence; Urinary Incontinence, Stress
PubMed: 31422064
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2019.08.003 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2019Pelvic floor muscle training is commonly used for urine loss. However, research studies have not determined which training load is the most effective for women with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Pelvic floor muscle training is commonly used for urine loss. However, research studies have not determined which training load is the most effective for women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Moreover, none of the previous reviews or studies have described the total effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) with an objective test such as the pad test. The objectives were to analyze the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training in women with SUI and to determine which training load produces the greatest adaptations for decreasing urine loss. The search was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane), for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effects of PFMT. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: participants were women; were older than 18; had SUI; were treated with PFMT; and the assessments of the effects were measured with a pad test. Finally, 10 articles (293 women) analyzed the pad test in women with SUI who performed PFMT. The meta-analysis showed that PFMT, independent of the protocol used in the study, resulted in decreased urine loss in women suffering from SUI. However, for large effects, the program should last 6-12 weeks, with >3 sessions/week and a length of session <45 min.
Topics: Exercise Therapy; Female; Humans; Pelvic Floor; Urinary Incontinence, Stress
PubMed: 31717291
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16224358 -
International Journal of Environmental... Sep 2022There is a risk of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) from baby delivery. Many clinical guidelines recommend pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) as the conservative...
BACKGROUND
There is a risk of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) from baby delivery. Many clinical guidelines recommend pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) as the conservative treatment for PFD because pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) play a crucial role in development of PFD. However, there is disagreement about the method and intensity of PFM training and the relevant measurements. To pilot the study in PFM training, we designed a Pelvic Floor Workout (PEFLOW) for women to train their pelvic through entire body exercises, and we planned a trial to evaluate its effectiveness through comparing the outcomes from a group of postpartum women who perform PELFLOW at home under professional guidance online with the control group.
METHODS/DESIGN
The randomized controlled trial was projected to be conducted from November 2021 to March 2023. A total of 260 postpartum women would be recruited from the obstetrics departments of the study hospital and women would be eligible for participation randomized into experimental or control groups (EG/CG) if their PFM strength are scaled by less than Modified Oxford grading Scale (MOS) to be less than grade 3. Women in EG would perform a 12-week PEFLOW online under the supervision and guidance of a physiotherapist, while women in CG would have no interventions. Assessments would be conducted at enrollment, post intervention (for EG) or 18th to 24th week postpartum (for CG), and 1 year postpartum. Assessment would be performed in terms of pelvic floor symptoms, including MOS, cough stress test, urinary leakage symptoms, pelvic organ prolapse quantitation (POP-Q), and vaginal relaxation, clinic examinations including Pelvic floor electrophysiological test, Pelvic floor ultrasound and Spine X-ray, overall body test including trunk endurance test, handgrip test, body composition test, and questionnaires including International Physical Activity Questionnaire Score-Short Form(IPAQ-SF), Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory Questionnaire-20 (PFDI-20), Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 (PFIQ-7), the 6-item Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Primary analysis will be performed to test our main hypothesis that PEFLOW is effective with respect to strengthen PFM strength.
DISCUSSION
This trial will demonstrate that pelvic floor-care is accessible to most women and clinical practice on PFD may change relevantly should this study find that Online PEFLOW approach is effective to improve PFMs.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05218239.
Topics: Exercise Therapy; Female; Hand Strength; Humans; Pelvic Floor; Pelvic Floor Disorders; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Recovery of Function
PubMed: 36078788
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191711073 -
Scientific Reports Dec 2019Pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) play a crucial role in urinary continence. Therefore, training the PFMs remains the most popular conservative treatment for urinary... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) play a crucial role in urinary continence. Therefore, training the PFMs remains the most popular conservative treatment for urinary incontinence (UI). The effect of training other body muscles on the PFMs is unclear and mostly hypothetical. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of postoperative diaphragm muscle, abdominal muscle and PFM training on PFM strength (PFMS) and endurance (PFME) as well as on UI in men after radical prostatectomy (RP). Per-protocol PFMS, PFME and urine loss measurements were performed at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. The primary endpoints were PFMS and PFME differences among the study groups. The secondary endpoint was the correlation between UI and PFMS and PFME. In total, 148 men were randomized to the treatment groups. An increase in PFMS and PFME was observed in all groups compared to baseline (p < 0.001). The greatest difference in PFMS was in the PFM training group, but diaphragm training had the best effect on PFME. The highest (from moderate to strong) correlation between UI and PFME and PFMS (r = -0.61 and r = -0.89, respectively) was observed in the diaphragm training group. Despite different but significant effects on PFMS and PFME, all rehabilitation-training programmes decreased UI in men after RP.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Aged; Diaphragm; Education; Exercise Therapy; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Strength; Muscle, Skeletal; Pelvic Floor; Prospective Studies; Prostate; Prostatectomy; Treatment Outcome; Urinary Incontinence
PubMed: 31844133
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55724-4 -
Neurourology and Urodynamics Aug 2023Some authors suggest that breathing exercises should be recommended instead of or in combination with pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) to prevent and treat urinary... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Some authors suggest that breathing exercises should be recommended instead of or in combination with pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) to prevent and treat urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP).
AIMS
The primary aim of the present study was to investigate the evidence for breathing as an intervention alone or in addition to PFM contraction in treatment of UI and POP.
MATERIALS & METHODS
This systematic review included short-term experimental studies and randomize controlled trials (RCTs) indexed on PubMed, EMBASE, and PEDro database. A form was used to extract data that was analyzed qualitatively due to the heterogeneity in interventions and outcome measures of the included studies. The individual methodological quality of RCTs was analyzed using the PEDro scale.
RESULTS
A total of 18 studies were included, 374 participants from short-term experimental studies and 765 from nine RCTs. PEDro score varied from 4 to 8. Activation of the PFM during expiration was significantly less than during a PFM contraction. In general, the RCTs showed that training the PFM is significantly more effective to improve PFM variables and UI and POP than breathing exercises, and that adding breathing exercises to PFMT have no additional effect.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review indicates that the evidence for incorporating breathing exercise in clinical practice in addition to or instead of PFMT is scant or non-existing, both based on short-term experimental studies and small RCTs.
Topics: Humans; Pelvic Floor; Exercise Therapy; Urinary Incontinence; Breathing Exercises; Pelvic Organ Prolapse; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37260116
DOI: 10.1002/nau.25218