Mild Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Conditions
Brief summary
Abdominal hypopressive technique (AHT) is a therapy created for the treatment of the pelvic floor dysfunctions in the postpartum. In the last years it has been extended out of such medical context but there is a lack of scientific evidence, and the endurability of the effects of this technique are unknown. The investigator´s aim was to evaluate the effect of a 12 weeks AHT program on 1) the tone of the pelvic floor muscles and 2) on urinary incontinence, in women out of the postpartum phase. In addition the investigators looked for the endurability of its effect. Methods: The investigators performed a cross-over blinded intervention study of 4 month duration, in which women, stratified by age, were randomly assigned to a sequence of AHT-no AHT or no AHT-AHT. The AHT program consisted of 30 minute sessions, 3 days per week during 2 months. The investigators compared the effect of AHT versus no AHT, and of no AHT after 2 months versus AHT. The endpoints were the differences in perineal tonometry, and urinary incontinence symptoms, as measured by the ICIQ\_SF. Comparisons were tested with student t tests, paired or unpaired as adequate.
Interventions
OTHERAbdominal hypopressive technique
postural technique based on self-elongating, body axis anteriorization, shoulders extension, and maintenance of an expiratory apnea as long as possible
Sponsors
Rafael J. Curbelo
Study design
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
20 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* no systematic participation in sports or physical activities (≤ 3 sessions per week, ≤ 2 weeks per month) * between 20 and 65 years old * with availability for three afternoons per week.
Exclusion criteria
* hypertension * serious diseases * pregnancy * postpartum phase up to 2 months after delivery.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| change of pelvic floor tone at 2 months and after 4 months | at baseline, after 2 months, and after 4 months | Pelvic floor tone was measured by a tonometer (PhoenixTM USB2, France) in a PelvimètreTM, and results are expressed in g/cm2. A physiotherapist specialist in urogynecology did the measurement. This measure was not available for women in their first three days of menstruation or virgins |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| change of urinary incontinence at 2 months and after 4 months | perfomed at baseline, after 2 months, and after 4 months | Urinary incontinence was measured with the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ\_SF) . The questionnaire includes three scored items about frequency, severity and perceived impact of incontinence. |
Outcome results
None listed