Urinary Incontinence in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy of Type 1 Diabetic Women.

BACKGROUND: Type 1 diabetes increases the prevalence of urinary incontinence and may be responsible for additional changes to those existing in a regular gestational period. This study aimed to describe the presence and symptoms of urinary incontinence in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: In this Cross-sectional case control study, forty pregnant women in third gestational trimester were allocated in two equal groups - control group (CG) and type 1 diabetic group (1DMG). The patients answered the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form and, to characterize the sample, they answered the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire, gynecological history and, after delivery, the newborn weight was registered. The groups were compared using the Student's T Test for parametric variables and the U-Mann Whitney Test for non-parametric variables, both at 5% probability. RESULTS: The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form score (p = 0.026) is higher in 1DMG (3.95 ± 4.70) compared to CG (1.05 ± 2.23). No correlations were found between time of diagnosis, HbA1c and newborn weight in relation to ICIQ-SF and other variables in CG and 1DMG with ICIQ-SF (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Type 1 diabetes mellitus, in the third trimester of gestation, seem to be associated with increase in the ICIQ-SF score.

HIGHLIGHTS: No correlation between gestational characteristics and urinary incontinence symptoms.The diabetic women group had more episiotomies and abortions.The diabetic women had higher scores in the total score of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-SF).

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Measurement Properties Analysis of the Brazilian Portuguese Version of the ICIQ-VS.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The high prevalence of pelvic floor disorders in women requires assessments using validated instruments. We aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt to Brazilian Portuguese, and analyze the measurement properties of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Vaginal Symptoms Module (ICIQ-VS-Br). METHODS: Participants were Brazilian women older than 18 years presenting vulvovaginal symptoms according to the Vulvovaginal Symptoms Questionnaire (VSQ-Br). The development of the ICIQ-VS-Br included the steps of translation, synthesis, back-translation, expert meeting, and pre-test. We analyzed construct validity by correlating the ICIQ-VS-Br and VSQ-Br. The participants answered the ICIQ-VS-Br the second time 7 to 10 days after the first response. We measured test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha, and construct validity using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The study included 313 women. Reproducibility was analyzed for the three subscales of the ICIQ-VS-Br, resulting in an ICC of 0.92 (95% CI 0.89 to 0.94) for "vaginal symptoms," 0.85 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.89) for "sexual matters," and 0.87 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.91) for "quality of life." Construct validity showed a moderate correlation between ICIQ-VS-Br and VSQ-Br, confirming our hypotheses. CONCLUSIONS: The ICIQ-VS-Br demonstrated validity and reproducibility, indicating that the instrument can be used in scientific research and clinical practice.

Pelvic floor muscle training as treatment for female sexual dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training in treating female sexual dysfunction. DATA SOURCES: A systematic review of databases, including PubMed, Ovid Medline, CINAHL, Embase, BVSalud, Scopus, and Cochrane Library, was performed in July 2021 and updated in May 2023. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Full-text articles of randomized controlled trials comparing pelvic floor muscle training with no intervention or another conservative treatment were included. At least 1 arm of these trials aimed to improve women's sexual function or treat sexual dysfunction. METHODS: The data for this review were extracted and analyzed by 2 independent reviewers. Data on the characteristics of each intervention were extracted using the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template. The risk of bias and certainty of evidence were assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale and the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) criteria, respectively. A meta-analysis was conducted considering the posttreatment mean score difference in the Female Sexual Function Index between the control and treatment groups. RESULTS: A total of 21 randomized controlled trials were included in this review. The Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template revealed varying quality of the pelvic floor muscle training protocols. Four studies were included in the meta-analysis showing that pelvic floor muscle training improved arousal (1.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-2.85), orgasm (1.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-2.96), satisfaction (1.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.14-2.77), pain (0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.11-1.37), and the Female Sexual Function Index overall score (7.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-14.57). Very low certainty of evidence due to the data's high clinical and statistical heterogeneity was found according to the GRADE criteria. No side effects of the interventions were reported. CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis showed that pelvic floor muscle training improved female Female Sexual Function Index total score and several subscales; however, the certainty of the evidence is low.

Do patients undergoing physical therapy in a rehabilitation center have a high prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunction and psychological disorders? A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) and its relationship with anxiety in a population undergoing physical therapy treatment in Rehabilitation Centers seems to have been little investigated in the literature. OBJECTIVE: 1) to investigate the prevalence of PFD, anxiety, depression; 2) to assess quality of life (QoL) in patients undergoing physical therapy in a Rehabilitation Center, 3) to compare the results by sex; and 4) to assess the relationship between PFD and anxiety, depression, and QoL. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included participants receiving physical therapy care in a Rehabilitation Center. Validated questionnaires were used to assess PFD, QoL, depression, and anxiety. The Chi-square test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and a binary logistic regression model were used for data analysis. RESULTS: 253 participants (56.9% female) were included, 45% of them reported at least one PFD symptom. Females had higher prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) (28% vs 14%); constipation (25% vs 10%); sexual dysfunction (75% vs 9%); anxiety (47% vs 35%); and depression (34% vs 17%) than males. A weak correlation was found between anxiety and depression with UI and sexual dysfunction for females. For all participants, poor QoL was found in physical functioning, physical role, bodily pain and emotional role. Being elderly (OR: 2.58 [1.24, 5.37]), partnered (OR: 1.82 [1.04, 3.17]), female (OR: 3.38 [1.91, 5.99]), and anxious (OR: 2.03 [1.14, 3.62]) were risk factors for reporting PFD. CONCLUSION: This study found a high prevalence of PFD symptoms in patients attending a Rehabilitation Center. All symptoms except fecal incontinence were more prevalent in females than in males. There was a weak correlation between UI with QoL and psychological disorders among females.

The Brazilian Portuguese version of the ICIQ-FLUTSsex: cross-cultural adaptation and measurement property analysis.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The worldwide prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women is high; therefore, an adequate assessment of this condition is necessary, with instruments validated for the Brazilian population. The aim was to translate and adapt the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Female Sexual Matters Associated with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms into Brazilian Portuguese (ICIQ-FLUTSsex-Br) and analyze its measurement properties. METHODS: We recruited Brazilian women, literate, over 18 years old, who had had sexual intercourse in the last 4 weeks and had urinary loss. The translation and cross-cultural adaptation were performed following five stages: translation, synthesis, back translation, expert committee review, and pre-test. Measurement properties were analyzed using SPSS software, as follows: test-retest reliability using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC); construct validity using Pearson's correlation coefficient, by correlating the ICIQ-FLUTSsex-Br with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12). RESULTS: A total of 328 women participated in the study. The reproducibility was 0.88, the standard error of measurement was 0.29, and the minimal detectable change was 0.80 (95% CI). Moderate correlations were found between the total scores of the ICIQ-FLUTSsex and PISQ-12 questionnaires (0.54, p<0.01), confirming the hypotheses outlined. Weak correlations were also found for comparisons between the FSFI and ICIQ-FLUTSsex total scores (-0.56, p<0.01) and the PISQ-12 question about fear of incontinence hindering sexual intercourse (0.26, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The Portuguese-language version of the ICIQ-FLUTSsex-Br showed validity and reproducibility, making it a tool to be used in research and clinical practice by health professionals in Brazil.

Can you breathe yourself to a better pelvic floor? A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Some authors suggest that breathing exercises should be recommended instead of or in combination with pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) to prevent and treat urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). AIMS: The primary aim of the present study was to investigate the evidence for breathing as an intervention alone or in addition to PFM contraction in treatment of UI and POP. MATERIALS & METHODS: This systematic review included short-term experimental studies and randomize controlled trials (RCTs) indexed on PubMed, EMBASE, and PEDro database. A form was used to extract data that was analyzed qualitatively due to the heterogeneity in interventions and outcome measures of the included studies. The individual methodological quality of RCTs was analyzed using the PEDro scale. RESULTS: A total of 18 studies were included, 374 participants from short-term experimental studies and 765 from nine RCTs. PEDro score varied from 4 to 8. Activation of the PFM during expiration was significantly less than during a PFM contraction. In general, the RCTs showed that training the PFM is significantly more effective to improve PFM variables and UI and POP than breathing exercises, and that adding breathing exercises to PFMT have no additional effect. CONCLUSION: This systematic review indicates that the evidence for incorporating breathing exercise in clinical practice in addition to or instead of PFMT is scant or non-existing, both based on short-term experimental studies and small RCTs.

Strenuous physical activity, exercise, and pelvic organ prolapse: a narrative scoping review.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: High-intensity physical activity and exercise have been listed as possible risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The aim of the present study is to conduct a literature review on the prevalence and incidence of POP in women who engage in regular physical activity. In addition, we review the effects of a single exercise or a single session of exercise on pelvic floor support. Finally, the effect of exercises on POP in the early postpartum period is reviewed. METHODS: This is a narrative scoping review. We searched PubMed and Ovid Medline, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews up to May 2022 with the following MeSH terms: "physical activity" AND "exercise" AND "pelvic floor" AND "pelvic organ prolapse". RESULTS: Eight prevalence studies were retrieved. Prevalence rates of symptomatic POP varied between 0 (small study within different sports) and 23% (Olympic weightlifters and power lifters). Parity was the only factor associated with POP in most studies. Three studies evaluated the pelvic floor after a single exercise or one session of exercise and found increased vaginal descent or increased POP symptoms. One prospective cohort study reported the development of POP after 6 weeks of military parashot training, and one randomized trial reported increased POP symptoms after transverse abdominal training. There is scant knowledge on exercise and POP in the postpartum period. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of POP in sports varies widely. Experimental and prospective studies indicate that strenuous exercise increased POP symptoms and reduced pelvic floor support.

Are hypopressive and other exercise programs effective for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is effective for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), but other exercise programs have also been promoted and used. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effect of hypopressive and other exercise programs besides PFMT for POP. METHODS: A literature search was conducted on Ovid Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, PEDro, and Scopus databases from January 1996 to 30 December 2021. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. The keywords were combinations of "pelvic organ prolapse" or "urogenital prolapse," and "exercise therapy," "hypopressive exercise," "Kegel," "pelvic floor muscle training," "pelvic floor muscle exercises," "Pilates," "treatment," "yoga," "Tai Chi." Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro rating scale (0-10). RESULTS: Seven RCTs containing hypopressive exercise, yoga or breathing and hip muscle exercises in an inverted position were retrieved and analyzed. PEDro score ranged from 4 to 7. There was no additional effect of adding hypopressive exercise to PFMT, and PFMT was more effective than hypopressive exercise alone. The studies that included the term "yoga" included regular PFMT and thus can be classified as PFMT. Hip exercises in an inverted position added to PFMT vs PFMT alone showed better improvement in some secondary outcomes but not in the primary outcome, POP stage. CONCLUSIONS: There are few RCTs assessing the effects of other exercise programs besides PFMT in the treatment of POP. To date, there is no evidence that other exercise programs are more effective than PFMT for POP.

Applying a physiotherapy protocol to women during the active phase of labor improves obstetrical outcomes: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Labor is a physiological process triggered by mechanical and hormonal events that promote uterine contractions to expel the fetus. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a nonpharmacologic childbirth care protocol in women in the active phase of labor in improving obstetrical and perinatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: This was a randomized trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding, and intention-to-treat analysis. A total of 80 low-risk primigravida women at the end of pregnancy admitted at the beginning of the active phase of labor participated in the study. The participants were divided into an experimental group (n=40) and a control group (n=40). Women in the experimental group received 4 interventions: ambulation at 4 to 6 cm of cervical dilation, alternation of maternal postures, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation at 6 to 7 cm, and a warm shower bath at >7 cm. The control group received only routine obstetrical care during labor. The parturient could request pharmacologic analgesia at any time during the study. The main outcome measures were the duration of the active phase of the first stage of labor, the duration of the expulsive phase of labor, and the prevalence of labor dystocia as assessed by the partograph. The researchers collected other maternal and neonatal data from official birth records. RESULTS: The parturients who received the nonpharmacologic protocol had a shorter active phase of the first stage of labor (444 minutes in the control group and 373 minutes in the experimental group; P=.02), presented rupture of membranes later in labor (7 cm in the control group and 8 cm in the experimental group; P<.01), requested pharmacologic analgesia with more significant cervical dilation (5 cm in the control group and 8 cm in the experimental group; P<.01), requested fewer additional doses of analgesics, and had lower labor dystocia rates than the patients in the control group. In addition, there was no difference in other maternal and perinatal variables between the control group and the experimental group. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a sequential nonpharmacologic protocol composed of ambulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation with change of upright positions, and warm shower bath has the potential to reduce labor pain, as reflected in decreased and delayed use of pharmacologic analgesia and reduced duration of the active phase of labor and dystocia rates. Maternity hospitals should provide this protocol, and women should be encouraged to request this childbirth care protocol.

Conservative non-pharmacological interventions in women with pelvic floor dysfunction: a systematic review of qualitative studies.

BACKGROUND: Women's adherence is essential to physiotherapeutic treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction, but its related factors are not usually considered in the development of treatment approaches. This study aims to understand how women with pelvic floor dysfunction experience pelvic floor conservative non-pharmacological treatment options. METHODS: A systematic review of qualitative studies. The electronic search was performed in MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, Lilacs, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases. Primary articles on qualitative methods focused on the experience of women regarding pelvic floor conservative non-pharmacological interventions, i.e., pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), either associated or not with biofeedback, perineal massage, vaginal dilators, and others. A meta-aggregation was performed. RESULTS: It was included 22 manuscripts in this review. It was found seven studies about the use of vaginal devices, two about manual intervention and 14 studies on women's experience with PFMT. The findings were synthesized as follows: I) women's experience of manual interventions; II) women's experience using vaginal devices changes according to health professional attitudes; III) women's experiences using vaginal devices varied depending on their pelvic floor dysfunction; IV) reported side effects due to the use of vaginal devices; V) external factors influencing PFMT performance; VI) women's perception of their own personal factors influencing PFMT performance; VII) PFMT characteristics influencing women's adherence; VIII) strategies used by women to include PFMT in their routine. CONCLUSION: Women's experience with pelvic floor conservative non-pharmacological treatment options is a complex phenomenon that involves many more variables than simply personal aspects. This is a systematic review of qualitative studies registered in the PROSPERO (CRD42018080244).

International urogynecology consultation chapter 3 committee 2; conservative treatment of patient with pelvic organ prolapse: Pelvic floor muscle training.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This manuscript from Chapter 3 of the International Urogynecology Consultation (IUC) on Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) describes the current evidence and suggests future directions for research on the effect of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) in prevention and treatment of POP. METHODS: An international group of four physical therapists, four urogynecologists and one midwife/basic science researcher performed a search of the literature using pre-specified search terms on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in Ovid Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, PEDro and Scopus databases for publications between 1996 and 2021. Full publications or expanded abstracts in English or in other languages with abstracts in English were included. The PEDro rating scale (0-10) was used to evaluate study quality. Included RCTs were reviewed to summarize the evidence in six key sections: (1) evidence for PFMT in prevention of POP in the general female population; (2) evidence for early intervention of PFMT in the peripartum period for prevention and treatment of POP; (3) evidence for PFMT in treatment of POP in the general female population; (4) evidence for perioperative PFMT; (5) evidence for PFMT on associated conditions in women with POP; (6) evidence for the long-term effect of PFMT on POP. Full publications in English or in other languages with abstracts in English and expanded abstracts presented at international condition specific societies were included. Internal validity was examined by the PEDro rating scale (0-10). RESULTS: After exclusion of duplicates and irrelevant trials, we classified and included 2 preventive trials, 4 trials in the post-partum period, 11 treatment trials of PFMT for POP in the general female population in comparison with no treatment or lifestyle interventions, 10 on PFMT as an adjunct treatment to POP surgery and 9 long-term treatment trials. Only three treatment studies compared PFMT with the use of a pessary. The RCTs scored between 4 and 8 on the PEDro scale. No primary prevention studies were found, and there is sparse and inconsistent evidence for early intervention in the postpartum period. There is good evidence/recommendations from 11 RCTs that PFMT is effective in reducing POP symptoms and/or improving POP stage (by one stage) in women with POP-Q stage I, II and III in the general female population, but no evidence from 9/10 RCTs that adding PFMT pre- and post -surgery for POP is effective. There are few long-term follow-up studies, and results are inconsistent. There are no serious adverse effects or complications reported related to PFMT. CONCLUSIONS: There are few studies on prevention and in the postpartum period, and the effect is inconclusive. There is high-level evidence from 11 RCTs to recommend PFMT as first-line treatment for POP in the general female population. PFMT pre- and post-POP surgery does not seem to have any additional effect on POP. PFMT is effective and safe but needs thorough instruction and supervision to be effective.