Effectiveness of Hypopressive Exercises in Women with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

Hypopressive exercises have emerged as a conservative treatment option for pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). The aim of this study was to compare the effects of an eight-week hypopressive exercise program to those of an individualized pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training (PFMT) program, and to a combination of both immediately after treatment and at follow-up assessments at 3, 6 and 12 months later. The study was a prospective, single-centre, assessor-blinded, randomised controlled trial. Ninety-four women with PFD were assigned to PFMT (n = 32), hypopressive exercises (n = 31) or both (n = 31). All programs included the same educational component, and instruction about lifestyle interventions and the knack manoeuvre. Primary outcomes were the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory Short Form (PFDI-20); the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire Short Form (PFIQ-7); PFM strength (manometry and dynamometry) and pelvic floor basal tone (dynamometry). There were no statistically significant differences between groups at baseline, nor after the intervention. Overall, women reduced their symptoms (24.41–30.5 on the PFDI-20); improved their quality of life (14.78–21.49 on the PFIQ-7), improved their PFM strength (8.61–9.32 cmH2O on manometry; 106.2–247.7 g on dynamometry), and increased their pelvic floor basal tone (1.8–22.9 g on dynamometry). These data suggest that individual PFMT, hypopressive exercises and a combination of both interventions significantly reduce PFD symptoms, enhance quality of life, and improve PFM strength and basal tone in women with PFD, both in the short and longer term.

The Main Role of Diaphragm Muscle as a Mechanism of Hypopressive Abdominal Gymnastics to Improve Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The main indications of HAG are the treatment of abdominal diastasis in the postpartum period, urinary incontinence and pelvic prolapse, as well as chronic LBP [ 17 ]. To date, the majority of studies have focused on assessing the effects of HAG on pelvic floor dysfunctions [ 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Nevertheless, very few studies have assessed the effects on other core muscle groups which form part of the core and which may help to stabilize the spine in a correct way [ 17 , 19 ].…”

The Rolf Method of Structural Integration and Pelvic Floor Muscle Facilitation: Preliminary Results of a Randomized, Interventional Study

“…For this reason, motor re-education, in the form of learning motor control and postural re-education, including the restoration of normal PFM-related muscle function, should be included in PFMsT [ 17 , 18 ]. Based on the available studies on the restoration of PFM function, it seems that new possibilities, and methods increasing the probability of success in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ], are still being sought. Therefore, the question arises whether a comprehensive form of therapy, such as SI, can facilitate the restoration of the physiological functions of PFMs and serve as another method of their facilitation, supporting the commonly used PFMsT.…”

Effect of Hypopressive exercise in women with Pelvic Organ Prolapse

“…[25][26][27][28][29] According to this study, hypopressive exercises (HEs) demonstrated reduction in symptoms of POP (grade 1 and 2) which is supported by Caufriez. 12 Navarro-Brazález B 30 8 Previous studies stated that hypopressive exercises produced improvements in the cross-sectional area of the levatorani muscle and significantly increase PFM function. 31 Reasons given by drop out candidates reported that women did not prioritize their gynaecological health as the population was attracted to surgical management and unaware about disadvantage and advantage of surgical and conservative management respectively.…”