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Pelvic floor muscle training for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse: an assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

This pilot study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse.

Methods

Thirty-seven women with stage II prolapse were randomized to either the intervention group (n = 21) or the control group (n = 16). The evaluation included assessments of pelvic floor muscle function and surface electromyography at baseline and post 14 weeks of treatment. The severity of prolapse was quantified by the POP-Q method and symptoms by P-QoL questionnaire.

Results

The intervention group showed significantly greater anatomic improvements in the anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapses than did the control group (P < 0.001 and 0.025, respectively) and a decrease of symptoms. In addition, the intervention group had greater improvements in muscle strength (P < 0.001), endurance (P < 0.001), and electromyography parameters (P = 0.008) compared to the control group.

Conclusions

PFMT is effective in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse.

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Abbreviations

POP:

Pelvic organ prolapse

PFMT:

Pelvic floor muscle training

PFM:

Pelvic floor muscle

RCT:

Randomized controlled trial

MVC:

Maximal voluntary contraction

sEMG:

Surface electromyography

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded through the State of São Paulo Research Foundation—FAPESP, São Paulo, Brazil.

Conflicts of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecology, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Borges Lagoa 783, conjunto 31, 3° andar, CEP 04038-031, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Liliana Stüpp, Ana Paula Magalhães Resende, Emerson Oliveira, Rodrigo Aquino Castro, Manoel João Batista Castello Girão & Marair Gracio Ferreira Sartori

Authors
  1. Liliana Stüpp
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  2. Ana Paula Magalhães Resende
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  3. Emerson Oliveira
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  4. Rodrigo Aquino Castro
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  5. Manoel João Batista Castello Girão
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  6. Marair Gracio Ferreira Sartori
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Liliana Stüpp.

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Stüpp, L., Resende, A.P.M., Oliveira, E. et al. Pelvic floor muscle training for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse: an assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial. Int Urogynecol J 22, 1233–1239 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-011-1428-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-011-1428-x

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