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Erschienen in:
01.02.2016 | Original Article
Impact of pelvic floor muscle training in the postpartum period
Erschienen in: International Urogynecology Journal | Ausgabe 2/2016
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Introduction and hypothesis
Our study piloted a novel, two-tiered approach to delivering pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) to postpartum women involving a standardized group workshop followed by the opportunity to self-select for individual PFMT sessions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcomes in women who self-selected for individual PFMT using validated quality of life (QoL) questionnaires, the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20), the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 (PFIQ-7), the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-12 (PISQ-12), as well as the Modified Oxford Scale (MOS) for strength. Women’s satisfaction with the program was also assessed.
Methods
This was a single-center prospective cohort study conducted between December 2013 and September 2014. Changes from baseline to postintervention QoL and MOS scores were tested using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Results
Two hundred and eighteen women attended the workshop, 54 enrolled in PFMT sessions, and 50 completed follow-up. Significant improvements were seen in the PFDI-20 (mean change −41.8, p < 0.001) and PFIQ-7 (mean change −23.0, p < 0.001) questionnaires. Results for the PISQ-12 could not be tabulated, as there were too many missing responses. The MOS score was significantly improved from baseline (4; range {0–5} compared with 3; range {0–4}; p < 0.001). Forty-nine of 50 women’s expectations for the program were met [9 of 10; standard deviation (SD) 1.4].
Conclusion
Results suggest that a two-tiered, self-selection approach to administering PFMT in the postpartum period contributes to significant improvements in pelvic floor function, QoL, MOS strength, and to high satisfaction rates.