Electrical stimulation and vaginal palpation in the awareness of the pelvic floor muscles: randomized controlled trial

• Grant number: 13/11658-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2013
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Gustavo Oliveira Brito
• Grantee: Thaís Daniel da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The pelvic floor muscles play functions support the pelvic organs, and sexual sphincter, justifying the importance of its proper functionality. However, many women do not know these muscles contract voluntarily, perhaps because they are not directly visible, increasing the chances of developing pelvic floor disorders such as urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and sexual disorders. Therefore, the functional recovery of the muscles of the pelvic floor is essential in the prevention and treatment of these disorders. However, to date, no studies in the literature that address the application of available therapeutic resources in improving the awareness of these muscles, which motivated us to carry out this study, which focuses on physical therapy intervention with transvaginal electrical stimulation, manual labor with vaginal palpation, and manual work associated with vaginal palpation pelvic tilt and contraction of accessory muscles (glutes and adductors) in awareness of pelvic floor muscle function and sexual function in women with contraction level 0 (zero) of such muscles.