Assessment of the effect of Mulabandha yoga therapy in healthy women, stigmatized for pelvic floor dysfunctions: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, women do not reveal their perineum related health issues because most of the time they are stigmatized by the society. Multiparity, mostly found in women of rural areas is one of the major causes of pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFDs) like pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, rectal incontinence, etc. Usually, they visit health centres in the advanced stage of diseases, and then medical treatment is not the only choice left. Many research studies show that yoga practices promote health conditions, contribute to enhancing endurance, flexibility, and muscular strength, and improving quality of life. OBJECTIVE(S): The study was conducted to assess the impact of Mulabandha yoga therapy (MYT) in healthy woman participants as a preventive measure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was a prospective and randomized controlled trial. Fifty healthy woman participants were allocated in two groups viz., MYT group and No MYT group. Mulabandha yoga was conducted for the MYT group for 12 weeks. No MYT group was advised not to do yoga. Pelvic floor muscle strength was internally evaluated by employing the PERFECT scheme score (P = power, E = endurance, R = repetitions, F = fast contractions, ECT = every contraction timed). For eligible samples, MYT sessions were held for 12 weeks. Data interpretation was done with SPSS software 20.0 (IBM Corp. Released 2011. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0. Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: Fifty healthy woman participants were allocated for analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in between the groups comparison in terms of age, socio-economic status, occupation, education, parity and mode of delivery. PERFECT scheme score significantly improved in participants after 12 weeks of regular MYT. No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups comparison in terms of PERFECT scheme score. CONCLUSION: The current study shows that regular practice of MYT for 12 weeks is a better means to reinforce the strength of pelvic floor muscles in women. This MYT procedure will establish evidence for women who are reluctant towards their pelvic organ-related issues. Women must incorporate the MYT practice in their routine life as a preventive measure to refrain from pelvic floor dysfunctions.

Effect of Mula Bandha Yoga in Mild Grade Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic organ prolapse is the growing health issue related to women of the reproductive and postmenopausal age group in India and across the globe. Treatment option for pelvic organ prolapse includes both surgical and non-surgical intervention. The development of pelvic organ prolapse is an indication for major surgery among 20% of all women. Nevertheless, the recurrence of pelvic organ prolapse is detected among 58% of the patient after surgery. This highlights the need for preventive measures for reducing the impact of pelvic organ prolapse. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of 3 months yoga therapy in female patients suffering from mild pelvic organ prolapse. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 50 Participants were allocated into two groups (25 in each group) by generating Random allocation sequence. Women aged 20-60 with symptomatic mild pelvic organ prolapse in the yoga group were offered Mulabandha yoga therapy along with other conventional treatment modalities, while the control group was only on conventional treatment. All participants gave written informed consent. An assessment was done by improvement in chief complaints and Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20) & Pelvic floor impact Questionnaire-7 (PFIQ-7) at baseline and at the end of 4, 8 & 12 weeks. Results At the end of 12 weeks, Post-study comparison between the two groups showed a significant improvement in chief complaints like perennial pain, P/V discharge, Perineal muscle laxity and Feeling of something coming out P/V (P < 0.001). Participants in the yoga group improved by (on average) 5.7 (95% confidence interval 3.1 to 14.7) points more on the PFDI-20 than did participants in the control group (P = 0.1) and a mean score of PFIQ-7 was also improved significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Although Mulabandha (Root Lock) yoga therapy led to a significantly greater improvement in PFDI-20 & PFIQ-7 scores the difference between the groups was below the presumed level of clinical relevance (15 points). More studies are needed to identify factors related to the success of Mulabandha (Root Lock) yoga therapy and to investigate long-term effects.

Physio-anatomical resemblance of inferior hypogastric plexus with Muladhara Chakra: A cadaveric study.

The present paper is aimed to ascertain the proper identity of Muladhara Chakra by a meticulous search. Proceeding in that direction, a review of the Muladhara Chakra was carried out in the texts of tantric literature, modern literature, journals and online publications. After going through various literatures, it is found that hindrance in normal body physiology may occur due to deactivation of Shat Chakra. Anatomically, each Chakra represents various plexus and sub-plexuses which are concerned with certain organs and its supply. Hence, there is a need to find each and every anatomical structure related to Chakras. Acharya Gananath Sen in his commentary Pratyaksha Shariram concluded that all the pelvic organs closely resemble with Muladhara Chakra. A cadaveric dissection has been carried out to correlate and establish that the anatomical structures which closely resemble the Muladhara Chakra can be thought of as inferior hypogastric plexus and its sub plexuses.