Search

Introduction: The complex process of pregnancy and childbirth significantly influences the well‐being of both mother and child. Today all pregnant women without medical contraindications are recommended to start or continue regular aerobic and strength training for at least 150 min per week to prevent pregnancy‐related diseases and conditions. Urinary incontinence in pregnancy, episiotomy and third‐ or fourth‐degree perineal tear during labor can greatly impact womens' health, quality of life and ability to be physically active. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) during pregnancy in the prevention of urinary incontinence, episiotomy, and third‐ or fourth‐degree perineal tear. Material and methods: A systematic review and meta‐analysis (CRD42022370600) was performed. Only randomized clinical trials published between 2010 and 2023 were included. The following databases were examined: EBSCO (including Academic Search Premier, Education Resources Information Center, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus and OpenDissertations databases), Clinicaltrials.gov, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). Three meta‐analyses to investigate the effect of PFMT exclusively or implemented as a section within a physical activity program during pregnancy on urinary incontinence, episiotomy, and third‐ or fourth‐degree perineal tear were conducted. Results: Thirty studies were analyzed (N = 6691). An effective preventive action of PFMT was found for urinary incontinence (z = 3.46; p < 0.0005; relative risk [RR] = 0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59, 0.87, I2 = 59%) and third‐ or fourth‐degree perineal tear (z = 2.89; p = 0.004; RR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.31, 0.80, I2 = 48%) but not for episiotomy (z = 0.80; p = 0.42; RR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.85, 1.07, I2 = 75%). Conclusions: PFMT during pregnancy proves to be an effective preventive intervention for reducing the risk of urinary incontinence and the occurrence of third‐ or fourth‐degree perineal tears. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating PFMT into antenatal care and training programs to improve maternal well‐being and overall childbirth outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most women suffer from perineal trauma during childbirth, whether it is natural tears or episiotomy. Objectives: To perform a systematic review and network meta-analysis investigating the effectiveness of different PFMT relevant strategies in the prevention of perineal trauma. Search strategy: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, CNKI, CBM, WANFANG DATABASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for citations published in any language from inception to 1 July 2021. Selection criteria: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of PFMT relevant prevention strategies for preventing perineal trauma during childbirth. Data collection and analysis: Data were independently extracted by two reviewers. Relative treatment effects were estimated using network meta-analysis (NMA). Main results: Of 12 632 citations searched, 21 RCTs were included. Comparing with usual care, "PFMT combine with perineal massage" and PFMT alone showed more superiority in intact perineum (RR = 5.37, 95% CI: 3.79 to 7.60, moderate certainty; RR = 2.58, 95% CI 1.34–4.97, moderate certainty, respectively), episiotomy (RR = 0.26, 95% CI 0.14–0.49, very low certainty; RR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.45–0.90, very low certainty, respectively), and OASIS (RR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.16–0.78, moderate certainty; RR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.28–0.85, high certainty, respectively). "PFMT combine with perineal massage" showed superiority in reducing perineal tear (RR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.20–0.85, moderate certainty). Conclusions: In view of the results, antenatal "PFMT combine with perineal massage" and PFMT were effective strategies for the prevention of perineal trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relevance. Pelvic floor dysfunction and pelvic organ prolapse are a significant problem today - even the initial manifestations of pelvic floor dysfunction can lead to reduced quality of sexual life, decreased activity, and then to social isolation and decreased self-esteem of women. Due to the growth of general life expectancy, the incidence rate is also increasing. One of the most popular conservative treatments for pelvic floor dysfunction is pelvic floor muscle training. The aim of this literature review is to consolidate the scattered information about the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training as a prevention and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction. Materials and Methods. In writing the review, publications from the PubMed and Google Scholar databases from January 2019 were analyzed and systematized. Results and Discussion. Pelvic floor muscle training is one of the most prospective methods of non-invasive treatment for pelvic organ prolapse. It can take many forms and is represented by a range of different techniques: from the simple short-term muscle contraction and Kegel exercises to more complex and high-tech methods using electromyostimulation and biofeedback. However, timing of introduction and method for pelvic floor muscle training must be carefully considered in order to gain the maximum result. Conclusion. Based on the study, it can be concluded that the introduction of pelvic floor muscle training as part of prenatal care and in the antenatal period is the most appropriate way to prevent pelvic floor failure and genital prolapse. Further research is required to confirm the hypothesis.

Abstract Background Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is the first-line treatment for urinary incontinence, but adherence to PFMT is generally poor. Currently, a number of novel strategies exist to facilitate adherence of PFMT. We sought to determine effectiveness of mHealth app-based PFMT for treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or stress-predominant mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) in women. The primary objective was to assess the effects of mHealth app-based PFMT and usual treatment on severity of the symptom, the quality of life (QoL) of users and the patient’s global impression of improvement. The secondary objective was to assess how mHealth app use affects adherence of PFMT. Methods All randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized controlled trials aimed at evaluating the effects of mHealth app-based PFMT in women with SUI or stress-predominant MUI were included. Twelve electronic databases, namely the Cochrane Library, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Web of science, OVID, SciELO, REHABDATA, PEDro database, Chinese CNKI and Wanfang and the Open Grey databases were used as search sources. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD 42020183515). This systematic review was developed following the PRISMA 2020 Checklist. The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions for Randomized Controlled Trials was used to assess risk of bias in included studies. Two authors extracted the data into a standardized spreadsheet. Results Six studies that met the eligibility criteria were included. The full sample included 439 patients with treatment via mHealth app and 442 controls of usual treatment. ICIQ-UI SF, ICIQ-VS, and QUID scores decreased after follow-up in the mHealth app and control groups in six studies. ICIQ-LUTS QoL scores decreased after follow-up in the mHealth app and control groups in three studies. In only one study, ICIQ-VS QoL scores decreased after 1 month and 2 months of follow-up in the mHealth app group, but increased abruptly after 3 months of follow-up. EQ5D-VAS scores increased in both groups in one study. The percentage of PGI-I increased in the mHealth app group in three studies after follow-up. After follow-up in three studies, BPMSES scores and self-reported adherence scores increased in the mHealth app group relative to the initial time point, but in one study, at 6 months compared with 3 months of follow-up, adherence scores decreased slightly in the mHealth app group. Conclusions This systematic review determined that mHealth app-based PFMT showed promise from the perspective of improving both outcomes and exercise adherence.

Background: Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is the first-line treatment for urinary incontinence, but adherence to PFMT is generally poor. Currently, a number of novel strategies exist to facilitate adherence of PFMT. We sought to determine effectiveness of mHealth app-based PFMT for treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or stress-predominant mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) in women. The primary objective was to assess the effects of mHealth app-based PFMT and usual treatment on severity of the symptom, the quality of life (QoL) of users and the patient's global impression of improvement. The secondary objective was to assess how mHealth app use affects adherence of PFMT.Methods: All randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized controlled trials aimed at evaluating the effects of mHealth app-based PFMT in women with SUI or stress-predominant MUI were included. Twelve electronic databases, namely the Cochrane Library, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Web of science, OVID, SciELO, REHABDATA, PEDro database, Chinese CNKI and Wanfang and the Open Grey databases were used as search sources. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD 42020183515). This systematic review was developed following the PRISMA 2020 Checklist. The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions for Randomized Controlled Trials was used to assess risk of bias in included studies. Two authors extracted the data into a standardized spreadsheet.Results: Six studies that met the eligibility criteria were included. The full sample included 439 patients with treatment via mHealth app and 442 controls of usual treatment. ICIQ-UI SF, ICIQ-VS, and QUID scores decreased after follow-up in the mHealth app and control groups in six studies. ICIQ-LUTS QoL scores decreased after follow-up in the mHealth app and control groups in three studies. In only one study, ICIQ-VS QoL scores decreased after 1 month and 2 months of follow-up in the mHealth app group, but increased abruptly after 3 months of follow-up. EQ5D-VAS scores increased in both groups in one study. The percentage of PGI-I increased in the mHealth app group in three studies after follow-up. After follow-up in three studies, BPMSES scores and self-reported adherence scores increased in the mHealth app group relative to the initial time point, but in one study, at 6 months compared with 3 months of follow-up, adherence scores decreased slightly in the mHealth app group.Conclusions: This systematic review determined that mHealth app-based PFMT showed promise from the perspective of improving both outcomes and exercise adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is proven to protect against pelvic-floor weakness in the form of urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines advise supervised PFMT as first-line treatment of stress or mixed UI and POP. Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in educating patients. Our aim is to study the extent of awareness of PFMT amongst healthcare professionals by a single-centre cross-sectional study of voluntarily participating 44 healthcare professionals. The term 'pelvic floor exercise' had varied explanations; 53% staff thought they knew how to undertake pelvic-floor assessment, although there was no standard method or terminology to describe the technique or outcome. Staff were unaware of PERFECTR method, Modified Oxford Grading, slow and fast contractions which form the basic criteria of standardised pelvic floor assessment and training. Only 43% staff were aware of online resources. What is already known on this subject? There have been many studies confirming the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) in the prevention and treatment of long-term morbidities like urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and sexual dysfunction. However, there have been no studies in the published literature about staff awareness of this important evidence based health intervention in women's health services. What do the results of this study add? We believe the awareness among health care staff about PFMT is still limited. Our study is the first of its kind in literature to highlight that staff awareness about this health intervention is still poor which in turn means staff are not well equipped to offer the support and guidance the patients need. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The lack of awareness of staff needs addressing on an urgent basis. Knowledge of PFMT is essential for health care staff to provide appropriate patient education and support. We recommend including information of PFMT and assessment methods in local and national guidelines to help increase awareness of staff and patients alike and help achieve better global pelvic health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is the descent of one or more of the anterior vaginal wall, posterior vaginal wall, the uterus (cervix), or the apex of the vagina (vaginal vault or cuff scar after hysterectomy). This is a female specific illness and is one of the women’s health problems that negatively impacts quality of life (QOL). The causes of prolapse are multifactorial. However, it is primarily associated with vaginal delivery, which leads to pelvic floor muscle and connective tissue injury. POP presents with various symptoms that may include urinary, bowel, and/or sexual dysfunction. Available POP treatments vary according to the degree of the prolapse symptoms. Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is the treatment of first choice for mild POP (evidence level Ⅰ, recommended grade A). In Japan, it is not yet covered by health insurance, so patients have limited opportunities to learn about correct PFMT under the diagnosis from a specialist physician in pelvic floor disorder. In this article, the PFMT for POP provided in our hospital is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: This review article was aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) during conservative management and as an adjunct to prolapse surgery based on recently published articles. Methods: The PubMed and PEdro databases were searched from 2005 to 2020 for all types of studies reporting on PFMT as the primary treatment for conservative management of prolapse as well as an adjunct for prolapse surgery. Result: The result of this review demonstrated that PFMT is effective in conservative management, especially in women with mild to moderate prolapse(stages I–III), for those who wish to have more children, who are not willing to undergo surgery, who are frail because of co-morbidities, and for those who need to delay surgery. However, results evaluating the effectiveness of PFMT as an adjunct to surgery demonstrated insufficient evidence to support the benefit of PFMT in addition to prolapse surgery over the use of surgery alone. Conclusion: Through this review, we have concluded that PFMT shows a more prominent effect when applied as conservative management. Currently available evidence demonstrated no additional clinically significant augmentation of PFMT as an adjunct to surgery compared with prolapse surgery alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Pelvic floor and mobility exercises were shown to be effective in managing incontinence in a cluster‐randomized trial (CRT) of village women aged 60 to 75 years in Bangladesh. The present analysis examines continence 12 months after the CRT and exercise program implementation with village paramedics as preceptors. Methods: Women from nine villages in the exercise arm of the CRT were followed‐up 12 months after the 6‐month intervention. They provided information about exercise since the CRT and a 3‐day continence record (3DCR). Posttrial, a further 6‐month exercise intervention led by village paramedics was initiated in 20 villages. Women completed the two‐item Sandvik severity questionnaire before and after the intervention. Paramedics kept a record of each woman's attendance at the 48 exercise sessions Results: A total of 130 of 150 women from the CRT completed the 12‐month follow‐up; 61.5% were dry on the 3DCR at follow‐up. Total continence was related to the continuation of exercises carried out in the home and absence of urinary tract infection at follow‐up. Those exercising at follow‐up had an odds ratio (OR) of 3.49 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.86‐6.58) of being continent at follow‐up. Higher end‐of‐CRT body mass index was associated with greater follow‐up leakage. In the 20‐village roll‐out, with 316 incontinent women, improvement in both severity and total continence on the Sandvik questionnaire were related to a total number of sessions attended (OR = 1.09; 95% CI, 1.05‐1.13). At roll‐out, 38.6% achieved continence, comparable to 43.0% in the CRT using physiotherapy preceptors Conclusions: Group exercise classes led by paramedics resulted in a marked improvement in continence but maintenance requires exercise postintervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aims: The self-quantification of patients is extending beyond the daily routine. More and more patients ask about the 'optimal' physical condition for an elective surgery. As the hysterectomy is one of the most common surgeries, a literature review was conducted to answer the question for the optimal surgical self preparation (prehabilitation).Methods: A literature review with the search terms 'physical activity' or 'physical exercise' or 'sport' or 'prehabilitation' and 'hysterectomy' was conducted in the National Library of Medicine database (PubMed) and Web of science. The search was limited to English or German language and publishing date after 2000. Two independent researchers (SO, FE) reviewed the results and excluded irrelevant or double articles.Results: After excluding irrelevant articles, five publications were left for review. One article published a study protocol and one a case report. Three articles reported study results. The numbers of patients reported are low. Prehabilitation programs differ depending on the primary study outcome. There seems to be a benefit for earlier discharge if patients undergo prehabilitation.Conclusion: Unlike other disciplines where prehabilitation has been studied, a gynecologic viewpoint still needs establishing and further studies are needed to clarify the benefit for the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of active conservative treatment, compared with standard management, in regaining urinary continence at 12 months in men with urinary incontinence at 6 weeks after a radical prostatectomy or a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Background: Urinary incontinence after radical prostate surgery is common immediately after surgery, although the chance of incontinence is less after TURP than following radical prostatectomy. Design: Two multicentre, UK, parallel randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing active conservative treatment [pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) delivered by a specialist continence physiotherapist or a specialist continence nurse] with standard management in men after radial prostatectomy and TURP. Setting: Men having prostate surgery were identified in 34 centres across the UK. If they had urinary incontinence, they were invited to enrol in the RCT. Participants: Men with urinary incontinence at 6 weeks after prostate surgery were eligible to be randomised if they consented and were able to comply with the intervention. Interventions: Eligible men were randomised to attend four sessions with a therapist over a 3-month period. The therapists provided standardised PFMT and bladder training for male urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. The control group continued with standard management. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome of clinical effectiveness was urinary incontinence at 12 months after randomisation, and the primary measure of cost-effectiveness was incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). Outcome data were collected by postal questionnaires at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Results: Within the radical group (n = 411), 92% of the men in the intervention group attended at least one therapy visit and were more likely than those in the control group to be carrying out any PFMT at 12 months {adjusted risk ratio (RR) 1.30 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09 to 1.53]}. The absolute risk difference in urinary incontinence rates at 12 months between the intervention (75.5%) and control (77.4%) groups was –1.9% (95% CI –10% to 6%). NHS costs were higher in the intervention group [£181.02 (95% CI £107 to £255)] but there was no evidence of a difference in societal costs, and QALYs were virtually identical for both groups. Within the TURP group (n = 442), over 85% of men in the intervention group attended at least one therapy visit and were more likely to be carrying out any PFMT at 12 months after randomisation [adjusted RR 3.20 (95% CI 2.37 to 4.32)]. The absolute risk difference in urinary incontinence rates at 12 months between the intervention (64.9%) and control (61.5%) groups for the unadjusted intention-to-treat analysis was 3.4% (95% CI –6% to 13%). NHS costs [£209 (95% CI £147 to £271)] and societal costs [£420 (95% CI £54 to £785)] were statistically significantly higher in the intervention group but QALYs were virtually identical. Conclusions: The provision of one-to-one conservative physical therapy for men with urinary incontinence after prostate surgery is unlikely to be effective or cost-effective compared with standard care that includes the provision of information about conducting PFMT. Future work should include research into the value of different surgical options in controlling urinary incontinence. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN87696430. Funding: This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 15, No. 24. See the HTA programme website for further project information.

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a bothersome condition affecting health-related quality of life (HRQoL) to a great extent in women. From a patient's perspective, improving HRQoL is probably equally important as objective cure of SUI. Our objective was to assess the effect of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and midurethral sling surgery on condition-specific HRQoL in women with SUI. A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Studies reporting on HRQoL after intervention for SUI or mixed incontinence with a predominant SUI component were selected. Retrieved articles were appraised by all authors regarding participant entry criteria, study design, intervention, questionnaire, objective cure, and HRQoL presentation. There were three articles reporting HRQoL after PFMT and 11 after midurethral sling surgery. Improvement in HRQoL seemed higher after midurethral sling surgery compared with PFMT. However, methods of HRQoL assessment varied widely, limiting the possibility of comparison and interpretation between studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is estimated that over 400 million people worldwide experience some form of urinary incontinence (UI). Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is commonly used in cases of urine loss. Game therapy (GT) has been suggested as a new conservative modality for UI treatments. GT represents a form of virtual reality (VR) that allows users to interact with elements of a simulated scenario. The purpose of this review was to assess the potential of using VR-based PFMT in the treatment of UI with a particular focus on the impact of this form of therapy on the patients' muscle function, symptoms of UI and quality of life (QoL). The following electronic databases were searched: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of Science. Systematic review methods were based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement. Electronic medical databases were searched from inception to 28 January 2021. From a total of 38 articles, 26 were analyzed after removing duplicates, then 22 records were excluded according to inclusion criteria and 4 were assessed as full texts. Finally, 2 randomized controlled trials (RCT) with 79 patients were included. For the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), the meta-analysis showed a significant difference in favor of the control condition (MD = 2.22; 95% CI 0.42, 4.01; I 2 = 0%). Despite the popularity of the use of VR in rehabilitation, we found a scarcity of literature evaluating the application of VR in the field of UI therapy. Only one study matched all of the criteria established. The effects of VR training improved PFM function and QoL; however, these changes were comparable to those of traditional PFMT. It is not possible to reach final conclusions from one study; thus, further development of VR interventions in the field of UI treatments are needed.

Objectives: Physiotherapeutic treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction in women has variable outcomes, and identification of the predictors of outcomes is important in developing service provision and treatment planning. This study explored whether patient motivation affects treatment compliance and outcomes of physiotherapeutic treatment in a cohort of patients with pelvic floor dysfunction., Design, Setting and Participants: A prospective observational study of 141 adult female patients referred consecutively to the physiotherapy clinic of an urogynaecological outpatients unit at a UK hospital., Intervention: A 6-month (one group session per month) pelvic floor muscle training programme, which included a home exercise programme., Main Outcome Measures: Modified Oxford Grading System and Queensland Pelvic Floor Questionnaire ratings of pelvic floor function were taken pre- and post-intervention, and the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale assessed patient motivation to change pre-intervention., Results: Motivation to change predicted attendance at the intervention sessions and patient-rated improvements in function. Patients with higher baseline motivation to change also reported greater improvements in pelvic symptoms, given the same pelvic floor muscle strength improvement., Conclusions: Patient motivation affects physiotherapeutic treatment adherence and outcomes, and should be considered as part of future assessment/screening procedures., Clinical Trial Registration: NCT02549157., (Copyright © 2021 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)