Telecare intervention for pelvic floor muscle training in postpartum women: a pilot study

Izabela Mędrala; Guadalupe Molina; Alejandro Galán-Mercant; Pawel Kiper; Anna Rutkowska

doi:10.5114/phr.2024.145974

eISSN: 2719-9665
ISSN: 2719-5139

Physiotherapy Review

Current issue Archive Manuscripts accepted About the journal Editorial board Abstracting and indexing Subscription Contact Instructions for authors Ethical standards and procedures

Editorial System

Submit your Manuscript

Editorial Policies

Sarajevo Declaration on Integrity and Visibility of Scholarly Publications

4/2024
vol. 28

Send email

Copy url:

abstract:

Review paper

Telecare intervention for pelvic floor muscle training in postpartum women: a pilot study

Izabela Mędrala

¹

,

Guadalupe Molina

²

,

Alejandro Galán-Mercant

³

,

Pawel Kiper

⁴

,

Anna Rutkowska

⁵

Reha-Active Rahabilitation Center, Głogówek, Poland
Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, Universidad de Almería, Almería, Spain
Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
Healthcare Innovation Technology Lab., IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venice, Italy
Department of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Opole University of Technology, Opole, Poland

Physiotherapy Review, 2024, 28(4), 26-33

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/phr.2024.145974

Online publish date: 2024/12/20

View full text Get citation

PlumX metrics:

Background
Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction is associated with reduced quality of life, diminished self-esteem, and feelings of unattractiveness. However, early prophylaxis can decrease the risk of various related disorders.

Aims
This pilot study aimed to assess whether an innovative telecare-based training program could improve the strength of pelvic floor muscles (PFM) in postpartum women at risk for pelvic floor disorders.

Material and methods
Twelve participants who were within two years postpartum underwent a home-based pelvic floor muscle training program. Each participant performed PFM exercises three to five times per week for 5–10 minutes per session, depending on her individualized training plan. The intervention lasted for 90 days. Changes in maximum PFM contraction strength were analyzed using 100% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) values.

Results
The analysis revealed that increased muscle contraction strength contributed to enhanced PFM efficiency. The mean 100% MVC value of the pelvic floor muscles was 23.46 ± 9.59 mmHg before training and 35.34 ± 13.61 mmHg after 90 days of training (p = 0.036).

Conclusions
The findings of this pilot study suggest that a telecare intervention using an endovaginal device can improve pelvic floor muscle strength, potentially aiding in the prevention of pelvic floor disorders associated with pregnancy.

keywords:

urinary incontinence, telemedicine, pelvic floor

PUBLISHER

Telecare intervention for pelvic floor muscle training in postpartum women: a pilot study

Izabela Mędrala 1 , Guadalupe Molina 2 , Alejandro Galán-Mercant 3 , Pawel Kiper 4 , Anna Rutkowska 5

urinary incontinence, telemedicine, pelvic floor

Izabela Mędrala

¹

,

Guadalupe Molina

²

,

Alejandro Galán-Mercant

³

,

Pawel Kiper

⁴

,

Anna Rutkowska

⁵