Effect of structured pelvic floor muscle training on pelvic floor muscle contraction and treatment of pelvic organ prolapse in postpartum women: ultrasound and clinical evaluations

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study is to see how structured pelvic floor muscle training affects pelvic floor muscle contraction and therapy of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in postpartum women. Methods This retrospective study included 60 patients who volunteered for a pelvic floor muscle assessment at 6–8 weeks postpartum. All patients had structured pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), which included supervised daily pelvic muscle contractions, biofeedback therapy, and twice-week electrical stimulation. The main outcomes were POP stage assessed by POP quantification (POP-Q), pelvic organ position and hiatus area assessed by 3-/4- dimensional transperineal ultrasound, PFM contraction assessed by Modified Oxford scale (MOS), surface electromyography (EMG), and sensation of pelvic muscle graded using a visual analog scale (VAS). Results Structured PFMT was associated with better POP-Q scores in Aa, Ba, C, D. The pelvic organ position and hiatus area by 3-/4- dimensional transperineal ultrasound were significantly better than before. PFM contraction assessed by MOS, EMG, and VAS were significantly higher than before. However, no statistically significant differences were observed in improve POP stage. Conclusions Postpartum structured PFMT can improve pelvic floor muscle contraction, improve POP-Q scores and elevate the bladder neck, and uterus position. But no effect was found of decreased POP stage. More randomized controlled trials are needed before strong conclusions can be drawn on the effect of structured PFMT on POP in postpartum women.