A Health App for Evidence-Based Postpartum Information: Development and Validation Study.

BACKGROUND: After childbirth, women undergo substantial physical and emotional changes. Therefore, it is important to provide them with information that helps them identify what is expected during this stage, as well as signs and symptoms that indicate complications after they have been discharged from the hospital. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a health app-Towards Motherhood-that provides evidence-based information about the postpartum period and evaluate the usability of the app with the target population. METHODS: This was a validation study involving 80 participants, including 24 professionals from the obstetric health field, 15 professionals from the technology field, and 41 postpartum women. The app was developed using React Native technology. Health professionals evaluated the app's content using the Content Validity Index, technology professionals completed a validated evaluation to assess the appearance of the app, and postpartum women completed the System Usability Scale (SUS) to measure the usability of the app. RESULTS: The measurement of content validity using a Likert scale obtained an approval score of 99%. Regarding the app's appearance, 92% of responses were positive, reflecting favorable approval. The SUS usability score was 86.2, which represents excellent acceptance. CONCLUSIONS: The Towards Motherhood mobile app is a valid tool for promoting self-care during the postpartum period. The app's evidence-based information, user-friendly design, and high usability make it an essential resource for women during this critical stage of their live.

Pelvic floor muscle training program for women in the puerperal period: clinical progress after intervention.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sexual function of women in the puerperal period after a postpartum pelvic floor musculature training program. We also sought to evaluate correlations between sexual dysfunction in the women and their delivery type and compare the frequency of sexual dysfunction and the quality of resumed sexual function following vaginal and cesarean deliveries. METHODS: This clinical study included an intervention, carried out between July and December 2019, in which data were collected about 28 rooming-in women at a Maternity School. Data were divided into vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery. Sexual function was evaluated by the Female Sexual Function Index and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form to assess the Incontinence Urinary and qualifies urinary loss. The intervention consisted of a muscle training exercise program. ANOVA tests were used to establish differences between groups. RESULTS: There was an improvement in all outcomes, but there was no time versus group interaction. Improvement in sexual function was observed (p<0.001), the impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life (p<0.001), and pressure of the muscles of pelvic floor muscles (p<0.001) over time. There was no time versus group interaction for sexual function (p=0.87), the impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life (p=0.88), and pressure of the pelvic floor muscles (p=0.66). CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic floor muscle exercise programs seem to be a very promising strategy concerning improving sexual activity among puerperal patients.

Transcranial direct current electrical stimulation for the treatment of interstitial cystitis: A study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome is a chronic disorder that presents an unknown etiology, with no generally accepted treatment. Although there is no gold standard treatment, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has shown efficacy in several chronic pain syndromes with decrease in pain, and improved functionality and mood. tDCS could be a safe, ease to use, and low-cost complementary intervention for patients with interstitial cystitis. AIM: This study will investigate the effects of a tDCS protocol on pain, functionality, and mood in patients with interstitial cystitis. METHODS: A randomized controlled clinical trial with two arms. Women will be randomized into two groups: active or sham. Anodal tDCS over the primary motor cortex will be performed for 5 consecutive days with an intensity of 2 mA for 20 min. Participants will be evaluated five times: 1 week before intervention; on the 5th day of tDCS; and 1, 6, and 12 months after the last day of tDCS. The outcomes will be assessed using the numeric rating scale, McGill pain questionnaire, positive and negative affect scale, international consultation on incontinence questionnaire for female lower urinary tract symptoms, Hamilton anxiety scale, six-minute walk test, patient global impression of change, and voiding diary. DISCUSSION: Only the active group will be expected to show decreased pain. The results of this trial will be the first step in the use of neuromodulation in interstitial cystitis and will provide additional data to support new studies with tDCS.

Pelvic floor muscle training program for women in the puerperal period: clinical progress after intervention

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sexual function of women in the puerperal period after a postpartum pelvic floor musculature training program. We also sought to evaluate correlations between sexual dysfunction in the women and their delivery type and compare the frequency of sexual dysfunction and the quality of resumed sexual function following vaginal and cesarean deliveries. METHODS: This clinical study included an intervention, carried out between July and December 2019, in which data were collected about 28 rooming-in women at a Maternity School. Data were divided into vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery. Sexual function was evaluated by the Female Sexual Function Index and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form to assess the Incontinence Urinary and qualifies urinary loss. The intervention consisted of a muscle training exercise program. ANOVA tests were used to establish differences between groups. RESULTS: There was an improvement in all outcomes, but there was no time versus group interaction. Improvement in sexual function was observed (p<0.001), the impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life (p<0.001), and pressure of the muscles of pelvic floor muscles (p<0.001) over time. There was no time versus group interaction for sexual function (p=0.87), the impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life (p=0.88), and pressure of the pelvic floor muscles (p=0.66). CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic floor muscle exercise programs seem to be a very promising strategy concerning improving sexual activity among puerperal patients.

Game therapy a new approach to treat women facing mixed urinary incontinence: A study protocol.

AIMS: To describe a pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) isolated and associated with game therapy (PFMT + GT) for women facing mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) during climacteric period. METHODS: To standardize a randomized controlled clinical trial intervention, a protocol was created, in an attempt to decrease women's symptomatology generated by MUI, through pelvic floor and abdomino-loin-pelvic muscles strength, and endurance. This study protocol will be composed of 32 volunteers, divided into two groups of 16. They will perform PFMT isolated or PFMT + GT, twice a week during 8 weeks. Interventions will last 40 minutes and will be divided into warming (5 minutes), training (30 minutes), and 5 minutes will be composed of resting time between exercises (1 minute each). Isolated PFMT sessions will be performed through four modalities of exercises: diaphragmatic, bridge, abdominal (plank), and pelvic mobility. PFMT + GT training will be carried out by using Wii Fit Plus games, such as Lotus Focus, Penguin Slide, Basic Step, and Hula Hoop from Wii equipment. Assessments will occur before, after, and 1 month after interventions. Vaginal manometry, 1-hour Pad Test, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), and Patient Global Intervention (PGI) will be used to evaluate the sample. CONCLUSIONS: It is expected greater increase on pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength, endurance, vaginal pressure for PFMT + GG. Moreover, it is supposed that PFMT + GT volunteers present better treatment adherence due to games motivational inclusion.