Elaine Cristine Lemes Mateus-Vasconcelos1,2,3, Aline Moreira Ribeiro1, Flávia Ignácio Antônio3, Luiz Gustavo de Oliveira Brito4, Cristine Homsi Jorge Ferreira3. 1. a Rehabilitation Center of Clinical Hospital of the Medical School of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , SP , Brazil. 2. b Barão de Mauá University Center , Ribeirão Preto , SP , Brazil. 3. c Department of Biomechanics, Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Locomotor System, Course of Physiotherapy , Department of Health Sciences - RibeirãPreto Medical School , Ribeirão Preto , SP , Brazil. 4. d Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , SP , Brazil.
Abstract
AIM: To undertake a systematic review of the literature on physical therapy methods to facilitate voluntary pelvic floor muscles (PFM) contraction. METHODS: The databases consulted were PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PEDro and CINHAL. The study included randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental trials and systematic reviews. The GRADE scale was used to assess methodological quality. RESULTS: Six manuscripts were included. The methods investigated included instruction regarding the anatomy and function of the PFM, vaginal palpation, palpation on the central perineal tendon, interruption of urinary flow, biofeedback using a perineometer, vaginal cones, hypopressive exercise, PFM contraction associated with diaphragmatic breathing; and coactivation of abdominal muscles. The studies showed improvement in PFM contraction, but most were of low methodological quality. Only one study was characterized as being of high methodological quality. CONCLUSION: All the studies observed improvement in PFM contraction using various methods, but none were superior over the others. The studies revealed no adverse effects of the interventions used. Patient preferences should be taken into account in clinical decision-making. More studies of high methodological quality on this topic are needed.
AIM: To undertake a systematic review of the literature on physical therapy methods to facilitate voluntary pelvic floor muscles (PFM) contraction. METHODS: The databases consulted were PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PEDro and CINHAL. The study included randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental trials and systematic reviews. The GRADE scale was used to assess methodological quality. RESULTS: Six manuscripts were included. The methods investigated included instruction regarding the anatomy and function of the PFM, vaginal palpation, palpation on the central perineal tendon, interruption of urinary flow, biofeedback using a perineometer, vaginal cones, hypopressive exercise, PFM contraction associated with diaphragmatic breathing; and coactivation of abdominal muscles. The studies showed improvement in PFM contraction, but most were of low methodological quality. Only one study was characterized as being of high methodological quality. CONCLUSION: All the studies observed improvement in PFM contraction using various methods, but none were superior over the others. The studies revealed no adverse effects of the interventions used. Patient preferences should be taken into account in clinical decision-making. More studies of high methodological quality on this topic are needed.
Authors: Emre Sam; Ahmet Emre Cinislioglu; Fatih Kursat Yilmazel; Saban Oguz Demirdogen; Ali Haydar Yilmaz; Ibrahim Karabulut Journal: Int Braz J Urol Date: 2022 May-Jun Impact factor: 3.050