Electromyographic activity of pelvic floor muscles in different positions during the use an innovative vaginal educator: Cross-sectional study.

The pelvic floor requires an integrated anatomical structure owing to its multiple functions. Therefore, it is necessary to study methods for improving muscle recruitment during training. This study aimed to analyze the effect of using an innovative vaginal trainer on the bioelectrical activity of the pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic positioning and interference factors, such as age, childbirth, sexual activity, urinary incontinence, and menopause, were also analyzed. A cross-sectional study assessed 30 women using an evaluation form, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form, and surface electromyography. The root mean square of a 5-second contraction period, peak root mean square values, area values, % maximal voluntary contraction (root mean square normalized by peak signal), and median frequency were collected. These findings with and without the use of a vaginal educator were compared in the anteversion, neutral, and retroversion pelvic positions. The use of a vaginal educator was found to increase the electromyographic activity of the pelvic floor muscles in the neutral position. In this position, older women showed an increased peak contraction when using the educator. Multiparas also benefited from increased bioelectric activity (root mean square and area). Sexually active women increased their bioelectric activity in a neutral position when using the trainer, exerting less effort in retroversion (%-maximal voluntary contraction). Incontinent and menopausal women exhibited slower body-building activation (decreased frequency) with the device, which requires further investigation. Our innovative biofeedback device induced greater recruitment of muscle fibers, is more effective in the neutral pelvic position, and may be effective in training the pelvic floor muscles, even in women with a greater tendency toward pelvic floor dysfunction.

Influência de um protocolo de fisioterapia pélvica na função urinária e sexual de mulheres infectadas com vírus linfotrópico de células T humano tipo 1 / Influence of a pelvic physiotherapy protocol in urinary and sexual function of women infected with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1

Objetivo: Avaliar a influência da fisioterapia pélvica na função urinária e sexual de mulheres infectadas com HTLV-1. Métodos: Estudo quasi-experimental, com protocolo de 16 sessões em nove mulheres, que foram categorizadas em grupo sintomático e assintomático. Realizou-se teste de força muscular do assoalho pélvico com esquema PERFECT modificado, aplicou-se os questionários King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) e Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). O protocolo de fisioterapia pélvica consistiu em eletroestimulação do nervo tibial, eletroestimulação transvaginal e exercícios de cinesioterapia pélvica. Resultados: No grupo assintomático, segundo esquema PERFECT houve melhora da Endurance e Resistência do assoalho pélvico. No KHQ, verificou-se melhora geral no impacto da incontinência na qualidade de vida. No FSFI, houve aumento significativo no escore geral (p = 0,01), com influência nos domínios Desejo, Excitação, Lubrificação e Orgasmo. No grupo sintomático, o esquema PERFECT obteve melhora significativa em todos os domínios, assim como nos domínios de Limitação física, Sono/Energia e Medidas de Gravidade do KHQ e dos domínios de Desejo, Excitação e o Escore geral (p = 0,01) do FSFI. Conclusão: Sugere-se que o programa de fisioterapia pélvica aplicado melhorou a funcionalidade do assoalho pélvico, a qualidade de vida, reduziu os sintomas urinários e aprimorou a função sexual. (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the influence of pelvic physical therapy on the urinary and sexual function of women infected with HTLV-1. Methods: A quasi-experimental study in 16 sessions with nine women, divided into a symptomatic and asymptomatic group. The muscle strength test was performed with modified PERFECT scheme and were applied the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The protocol of pelvic physical therapy consisted of electrostimulation of the tibial nerve, transvaginal electrostimulation and pelvic kinesiotherapy exercises. Results: In the asymptomatic group, the main results in PERFECT scheme were the improvement of the endurance and pelvic floor strength. In relation to KHQ, we observed a general improvement in the impact of incontinence on quality of life. In the FSFI, there was a significant increase in the Overall Score (p = 0.01), with influence in the domains Desire, Excitation, Lubrication and Orgasm. In the symptomatic group, the PERFECT scheme obtained significant improvement in all domains. As well as in domains Physical Limitation, Sleep/Energy and Severity measures in KHQ and in domains Desire, Excitation and Overall Score (p = 0,01) of FSFI. Conclusion: The pelvic physical therapy protocol improved the pelvic floor functionality, quality of life, reduced urinary symptoms and improved the sexual function. (AU)