pelvic floor dysfunction

Background: Reproductive history and urogynecological disorders have been associated with limitations in physical function. However, little is known about the relationship between symptoms of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, and physical performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether symptoms of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse are independently associated factors with indicators of lower physical performance in middle-aged women from Northeast Brazil.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field versus pulsed ultrasound in treating patients with postnatal carpal tunnel syndrome. The study was a randomized,
double-blinded trial. Forty postnatal female patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome were divided randomly into two equal groups. One group received pulsed electromagnetic field, with nerve and tendon gliding exercises for the wrist, three times per week for four weeks. The other group received pulsed ultrasound and the same wrist exercises. Pain level, sensory and motor distal latencies and conduction velocities of the median nerve, functional status scale and hand grip strength were assessed pre- and post-treatment. There was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in pain level, sensory and motor distal latencies of the median nerve, and significant increase (P<0.05) in sensory and motor conduction velocities of the median nerve and hand grip strength in both groups, with a significant difference between the two groups in favour of pulsed electromagnetic field treatment. However, the functional status scale showed intergroup no significant difference (P>0.05). In conclusion, while the symptoms were alleviated in both groups, pulsed electromagnetic field was more effective than pulsed ultrasound in treating postnatal carpal tunnel syndrome.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the utility of a " Kegel " contraction test in a primary care setting. Fifty-seven adult women completed a questionnaire, underwent pelvic examination, " Kegel " assessment, and measurement of same by vaginal sensor electromy-ography. Thirty-seven underwent repeat evaluations within 4 weeks. Inter-and intra-rater reliability of digital scale, intra-rater reliability for sEMG measurement, correlation between raters and sEMG, and correlation between scale scores and sEMG with history and pelvic exam were determined. Fifty-six percent were pre-menopausal, 44% post-menopausal. Uri-nary (62%) and rectal (37%) dysfunction were reported. Inter-rater reliability, intra-observer reproducibility for both raters and sEMG measurements, and correlation between raters and sEMG were significant (P < 0.05). Comparison of continence status and digital scores showed scores 4 were more frequently associated with reported urinary incontinence (P<0.05). sEMG data also correlated to hormonal status and parity (P < 0.05). This digital scale is a useful assessment of " Kegel " contraction, correlating well to sEMG vaginal sensor readings and self-reported overall urinary continence status. Neurourol. Urodynam. 18: 603–612, 1999.

Pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms and risk factors at the first year of postpartum women: a cross-sectional study † Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) symptoms experienced the first year of postpartum and obstetric risk factors. Methods: This research was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The study was conducted with 408 women between 3 and 12 months postpartum, in İzmir. Results: It was found that urinary incontinence had been experienced by 33.3% of the women during pregnancy and 25.2% postpartum and 2.9% had experienced fecal incontinence. Other frequently experienced symptoms of PFD were in the order of frequency, perineal pain (53.4%), constipation (40.7%), flatulence (34.1%), dyspareunia (27.7%) and fecal incontinence (2.9%). Conclusion: PFD symptoms are common in postpartum women. Early diagnosis, treatment and preventive approaches should be made by healthcare professionals for perinatal pelvic floor health. Impact statement: Healthcare professionals should acknowledge the importance of PFD after birth and identify the problems early period. Our study emphasizes the size of the problem and improvement for PFD.

Methods Forty-three consecutive women with functional impairment of the posterior pelvic floor were enrolled after a clinical evaluation. Using both CCD and introital ultrasound examination, the anorectal angle was measured during squeezing to evaluate the strength of voluntary muscle contraction and during straining to assess pelvic floor relaxation. Rectocele depth and the presence of intussusception were assessed. The performance of CCD and that of introital ultrasound were compared.

Introducción y objetivos: Se ha reportado inestabilidad de la musculatura del piso pélvico (MPP) en pacientes con prostatitis crónica tipo III/síndrome doloroso pélvico crónico (PC/SDPC). El objeto del estudio es reportar la relación entre la electromiografía de superficie (EMS) usando parches cutáneos en PC/SDPC, comparado con voluntarios sanos.

Antecedentes: La terapia por ondas electromagnéticas es un tratamiento relativamente nuevo para la incontinencia urinaria. La mujer tradicionalmente no habla de su capacidad de orgasmos. Sin embargo, después de varias semanas de acudir al área especial en el laboratorio de ondas electromagnéticas, las pacientes comentan espontáneamente de algunos cambios incluyendo su desempeño sexual.

Background: Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) represents a common condition with implications for persistence. Currently, a practice gap appears to exist related to the assessment and management of pregnancy-related PGP. This study explored Irish physiotherapists' perspectives of PPGP. Methods: A survey from previous Canadian research was adapted and used to determine Irish physiotherapist's perspectives regarding PPGP. Women's health physiotherapists, private and public sector, were invited to complete an electronic survey. Results: Sixty of the 122 invited physiotherapists completed the survey for a response rate of 49%. Of these, 98% agreed that relevant health care providers need to be able to recognize a PPGP presentation, and 80% believed PPGP to be a complex clinical presentation requiring early detection and associated care. The vast majority of perspectives related to etiology and treatment focused on musculoskeletal influences, however addressing fear (84%) and employing pain neuroscience education (82%) were also indicated to be very important. Conclusion: Pregnancy-related PGP is a distinct presentation of PGP impacting women in the perinatal period and beyond differs in etiology due to perinatal and associated bio psychosocial influences. Irish physiotherapists perceive a number of important evolving psychosocial characteristics of PPGP, however unsubstantiated strong perspectives related to biomechanics and pelvic stability were also found. Knowledge translation efforts to support the provision of evidence-informed care are needed.