J Korean Acad Nurs.  2006 Dec;36(8):1374-1380.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise by Biofeedback and Electrical Stimulation to Reinforce the Pelvic Floor Muscle after Normal Delivery

• Lee IS
• Choi ES

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle exercise using biofeedback and electrical stimulation after normal delivery. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 49 (experimental group: 25, control group: 24) postpartum women who passed 6 weeks after normal delivery without complication of pregnancy, delivery and postpartum. The experimental group was applied to the pelvic muscle enforcement program by biofeedback and electrical stimulation for 30 minutes per session, twice a week for 6 weeks, after then self-exercise of pelvic floor muscle was done 50-60 repetition per session, 3 times a day for 6 weeks. Maximum pressure of pelvic floor muscle contraction (MPPFMC), average pressure of pelvic floor muscle contraction (APPFMC), duration time of pelvic floor muscle contraction (DTPFMC) and the subjective lower urinary symptoms were measured by digital perineometer and Bristol Female Urinary Symptom Questionnaire and compared between two groups prior to trial, at the end of treatment and 6 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: The results of this study indicated that MPPFMC, APPFMC, DTPFMC were significantly increased and subjective lower urinary symptoms were significantly decreased after treatment in the experimental group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that the pelvic floor muscle exercise using biofeedback and electrical stimulation might be a safer and more effective program for reinforcing pelvic floor muscle after normal delivery.

Keyword

Pelvic Floor; Exercise; Biofeedback; Electric Stimulation

MeSH Terms

Adult
Analysis of Variance
Biofeedback (Psychology)/*methods
Combined Modality Therapy
Delivery, Obstetric/adverse effects/methods
Electric Stimulation/*methods
Exercise Therapy/*methods
Female
Humans
Korea
Muscle Contraction
Nursing Evaluation Research
Parity
*Pelvic Floor/physiopathology
Pregnancy
Puerperal Disorders/etiology/physiopathology/*prevention & control
Risk Factors
Treatment Outcome
Urinary Incontinence, Stress/etiology/physiopathology/*prevention & control
Urodynamics