The influence of one-time biofeedback electromyography session on the firing order in the pelvic floor muscle contraction in pregnant woman-A randomized controlled trial.

Many women are initially unable to contract the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) properly, activating other muscle groups before, or instead of, PFM. Numerous authors have proved that biofeedback can be an ideal tool supporting learning of the PFM contraction. However, there is currently a lack of scientific data on how many biofeedback sessions are necessary in this educational process. In this study we aimed at assessing the effects of one-time electromyography (EMG) biofeedback session on the order in which PFM are activated (so called firing order) during conscious contractions in relation to selected synergistic muscles in pregnant, continent women. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 90 healthy nulliparous women with uncomplicated pregnancies and without diagnosed urinary incontinence. We divided the participants into a biofeedback group (50) and a control group (40). They were, respectively: 30 ± 4 and 30 ± 4 years old, at their 23 ± 5 or 25 ± 7 week of gestation and presented 23 ± 5 or 24 ± 5 kg/m2 BMI value (M + SD). Surface EMG with vaginal probes has been used to assess the PFM firing order in selected tasks: in five 3-s maximal contractions (quick flicks), five 10-s contractions, and in a 60-s contraction (static hold). We used the 1-5 scale, where "1" meant the best score, awarded when PFM was activated first in order. The most important finding of our study is that a single EMG biofeedback substantially improved the PFM contractions in pregnant women. First, when applying one-time biofeedback session, more women maintained correct technique or improved it in the second assessment, compared to the control group (73 vs. 65%). Secondly, using the quantitative and qualitative analysis with the Chi-square McNamara B/C test, in the biofeedback group we observed a statistically significant improvement of PFM firing order in four tasks: in the first quick flicks (p = 0.016), third quick flicks (p = 0.027), fifth quick flicks (p = 0.008), and in the first 10-s contractions (p = 0.046). In the control group we observed better outcome only in one motor task: in the fourth 10-s contraction (p = 0.009). Given the positive effects of a single session of EMG biofeedback on the firing order in the PFM contractions, it should be recommended for pregnant women without urinary incontinence to teach them how to perform PFM exercises correctly.

Improving the Technique of Pelvic Floor Muscle Contraction in Active Nulliparous Women Attending a Structured High-Low Impact Aerobics Program-A Randomized Control Trial.

Learning the correct technique of performing pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises is a very important factor influencing the effectiveness of this muscle group training. Correctly performed PFM contractions are involved in the urinary continence mechanism. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that a six-week high-low impact aerobics program, supported by one EMG biofeedback session and pelvic floor muscle training, improves the technique of PFM contraction. Participants were 42 active nulliparous women (age 22 ± 2 years, mean ± SD), randomly allocated into intervention (n = 18) and control (n = 24) groups. We analyzed the technique of PFM contractions, taking into account the order in which selected muscle groups were activated, so called 'firing order'. In both groups, we assessed the PFM contraction technique using surface electromyography (sEMG) and intravaginal probes, before and after six weeks of intervention. The intervention group received one biofeedback session on how to properly contract PFM and afterwards participated in a high-low impact aerobics program supplemented by PFM training. The control group did not receive any intervention. In the pre-test, 67% of the intervention group activated PFM first in order in short, quick contractions. After six weeks of training, this task was correctly performed by 100% of this group (p = 0.04). The proper performance of PFM short contraction in the control group was 75% and 67%, before and after intervention, respectively. In the intervention group we also observed statistically significant improvement in the PFM contraction technique in 10-s contractions. The presented intervention was beneficial for the improvement of PFM contraction. High-low impact aerobics, supplemented by one EMG biofeedback session and pelvic floor muscle training can be recommended for active nulliparous women.

High-impact aerobics programme supplemented by pelvic floor muscle training does not impair the function of pelvic floor muscles in active nulliparous women: A randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to test the hypothesis that high-impact aerobics programme, combined with pelvic floor muscle training does not impair pelvic floor muscle function in young active women. METHODS: A randomized control trial was conducted among active nulliparous, sport university students (age 23 ±â€Š3 years, mean ±â€ŠSD). Experimental group (n = 13) attended high-impact aerobics programme, supplemented by pelvic floor muscle training with one biofeedback session, for 6 weeks. The control group (n = 19) did not get any intervention. Before and after the experiment, we assessed pelvic floor muscle function in both groups with surface electromyography using vaginal probes. In both groups, we assessed the participants' quality of life related to pelvic floor functions with the Incontinence Impact Questionnaires. RESULTS: We recorded no impairments in neuromuscular activity of pelvic floor muscles and in quality of life in women regularly performing high-impact aerobics. What is even more positive, after 6 weeks, experimental group presented better skills both in contracting and relaxing their pelvic floor muscles, although the pre-post intervention EMG change was not statistically significant. All participants maintained good quality of life related to pelvic floor functions. CONCLUSIONS: High-impact aerobics, supplemented by pelvic floor muscle training can be recommended for active nulliparas.

Six-Week Pelvic Floor Muscle Activity (sEMG) Training in Pregnant Women as Prevention of Stress Urinary Incontinence.

BACKGROUND Pelvic floor muscle exercises are a widely used and well-established form of stress incontinence treatment, with success rates varying from 21% to 84%, although with a better subjective than objective outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS "Incontinence Impact Questionnaire" (IIQ), PFM EMG assessment was done at the beginning and after the 6-week training program. RESULTS Statistically significant differences appeared in the BASE and R values. In the symptomatic group (with SUI symptoms), the value of BASE was 3.26 µV, and after training it was 3.95 µV. The R values before and after training were 4.55 µV and 4.25 µV. In the symptomatic group (without SUI symptoms), the value of BASE was 2.88 µV and 3.52 µV and R values were 7.16 µV and 3.92 µV. In the control group, BASE was 3.05 µV and 4.11 µV and R was 7.82 µV and 4.39 µV. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that a 6-week training process influences PFM EMG activity in pregnant women. During Q, the value of PFM activity after a training session tended to increase in the symptomatic and control groups, but in the symptomatic group it remains practically unchanged. Our results show the probable process of decreasing control of PFM activity during long-lasting contractions in symptomatic and control women. The comparison of BASE before and after training averaged the values of R after five 10-s contractions and showed an increase in the Base and decrease in the R.

High-Low Impact Exercise Program Including Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises Improves Pelvic Floor Muscle Function in Healthy Pregnant Women - A Randomized Control Trial.

Background: Pregnancy and high-impact activity are considered as risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunctions, including urinary incontinence. Aim: To investigate whether a structured exercise program, including high- and low-impact aerobics and supported by pelvic floor muscle exercises, improves the neuromuscular activity of the pelvic floor and does not reduce the quality of life in terms of urinary incontinence in healthy pregnant women. Methods: This was a randomized control trial among 97 Caucasian healthy nulliparas in uncomplicated pregnancies (age 30 ± 4 years, 21 ± 5 weeks of gestation; mean ± SD). Women were assessed for pelvic floor muscle functions with surface electromyography (EMG) using vaginal probes and using the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ). Only women able to contract pelvic floor muscles and with good quality of life based on IIQ were included for the study. Seventy women in the experimental group took part in a supervised exercise program including high-low impact aerobics and pelvic floor muscle exercises three times a week. Twenty-seven controls did not receive any exercise intervention. After 6 weeks both groups were re-tested with EMG and IIQ. Post- and pre-exercise program changes in each group were analyzed using a repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: Women in the experimental group improved the neuromuscular activity of the pelvic floor in some motor tasks without any adverse outcomes of the intervention. After the exercise program we observed in the experimental group significantly higher EMG amplitude in the pelvic floor muscles during 3-s contractions (p = 0.014). We also noticed a beneficial trend in the increase of neuromuscular activity during 10- and 60-s contractions, but the changes were not statistically significant. The exercising women substantially improved their abilities for relaxation following 3- and 10-s contractions (p = 0.013 and p < 0.001). In controls, we reported no statistically significant improvement in either of the motor tasks. All study participants maintained good quality of life related to urinary incontinence. Conclusion: Prenatal exercise programs that include high- and low-impact aerobics and are supported by pelvic floor muscle exercises should be recommended for pregnant women, especially those who are accustomed to higher exercise intensity before pregnancy. Nevertheless, these recommendations can be directed to continent women who can properly contract pelvic floor muscles. ISRCTN. DOI: 10.1186/ISRCTN92265528: "Pelvic floor muscle training with surface electromyography", retrospectively registered on the 25th of July, 2016.