The Influence of Pelvic Floor Fascial (Manual) Mobilization in Multiparous Women -A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective Pelvic Floor Fascial Mobilization (PFFM) is an innovative intervention to improve pelvic floor dysfunction. Design Pregnant women at 24-30 weeks gestation, complaining of pelvic pain, and or stress urinary incontinence, were prospectively randomized to PFFM (study group) vs. pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT). Strength and function of the pelvic floor muscles was compared before and after interventions. Setting-Outpatient pregnancy clinic at a tertiary medical center Sample-40 women randomly allocated to PFFM or PFMT Methods Each patient was treated twice, one week apart and was assessed immediately before and after each intervention, and one week after the second treatment. Main Outcome Measures PFDI 20 questionnaire , Oxford grading scale, perineometry to measure pelvic floor symptoms function and strength, transvaginal ultrasound cervical length Results PFFM group Oxford scale improved from 2.65±1.18 to 3.45±1.28 after the first session (p<0.001) with no difference in the PFMT group 3.40±1.05 vs 3.40±1.05 (p=1). Cervical Length elongated in the PFFM group after one treatment (39.8±6.5 vs 43.4±10.2 mm, p<0.05, but not in the PFMT group 40.9±6.7 vs 40.0±8.6 respectively (p=n.s). Among 26 participants who lasted the entire study-PFMT was associated with more than 40% improvement in both Oxford as well as PFDI-20 and Perineometry was improved by 23% (23.13±15.15 vs 28.58±16.07 cmH2O (p<0.05) while no such difference was found with PFMT; 30.03±12.73 vs 30.25±9.61 cmH2O respectively (p=n.s). Conclusions PFFM may improve pelvic floor function and strength, alleviate symptoms and elongate the cervix. Further bigger study is needed to better evaluate this method.

Effects of visceral manipulation associated with pelvic floor muscles training in women with urinary incontinence: A randomized controlled trial

“…A recent study, 29 investigating the action of fascial manipulation on the MVC of the PFM among pregnant with pelvic symptoms (pelvic pain and/or UI), found a significant increase in theMVC after two interventions. Fascial manipulation was performed directly in the pelvic area, both intravaginal and extravaginal areas.…”