Efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training and hypopressive exercises for treating pelvic organ prolapse in women: randomized controlled trial

Autor(es)

Bernardes, Bruno Teixeira ^[1] ; Magalhaes Resende, Ana Paula ^[1] ; Stuepp, Liliana ^[1] ; Oliveira, Emerson ^[1] ; Castro, Rodrigo Aquino ^[1] ; Katalin Jarmy di Bella, Zsuzsanna Ilona ^[1] ; Batista Castello Girao, Manoel Joao ^[1] ; Ferreira Sartori, Marair Gracio ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo Unifesp, Dept Gynecol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: São Paulo Medical Journal; v. 130, n. 1, p. 5-9, 2012.
• Citações Web of Science: 16

Resumo

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that women with pelvic floor dysfunctions present decreased cross-sectional area (CSA) of the levator ani muscle. One way to assess the effects of training programs is to measure the CSA of the muscle, using ultrasonography. The aim here was to evaluate the efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training and hypopressive exercises for increasing the CSA of the levator ani muscle in women with pelvic organ prolapse. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective randomized controlled trial at the Urogynecology outpatient clinic of Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo. METHODS: Fifty-eight women with stage II pelvic organ prolapse were divided into three groups for physiotherapy: a pelvic floor muscle training group (GI); a hypopressive exercise group (GII); and a control group (GIII). The patients underwent transperineal ultrasonographic evaluation using a transducer of frequency 4-9 MHz. The (CSA) of the levator ani muscle was measured before physiotherapy and after 12 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: The groups were homogeneous regarding age, number of pregnancies, number of vaginal deliveries, body mass index and hormonal status. Statistically significant differences in CSA were found in GI and GII from before to after the treatment (P < 0.001), but not in relation to GIII (P = 0.816). CONCLUSIONS: The CSA of the levator ani muscle increased significantly with physiotherapy among the women with pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic floor muscle training and hypopressive exercises produced similar improvements in the CSA of the levator ani muscle. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 07/08246-8 - Estudo prospectivo, randomizado e controlado em mulheres com prolapso genital submetidas ou não ao treinamento funcional e ginástica hipopressiva
• Beneficiário: Marair Gracio Ferreira Sartori
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular