Effects of Pelvic Stabilization Exercise with Transabdominal Ultrasonography-guided Biofeedback in Postpartum Women with Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain

Abstract

This is a exercise intervention study for postpartum women with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) The main purposes for this study are to investigate the effects of transabdominal sonography-guided biofeedback pelvic stabilization training on decreasing pain and disability improving muscle functions and enhancing physical performance as well as improving quality of life in postpartum women with PPGP Twenty-eight women suffering from postpartum PPGP were randomly assigned to the transabdominal sonography-guided biofeedback group (n=14) or exercise group (n=14) All the participants received the same 8-week pelvic stabilization exercise intervention emphasizing on the pelvic floor muscle training Except the women in the transabdominal sonography-guided biofeedback group received additional 4 times biofeedback training for the pelvic floor muscles The outcome assessment included pain intensity disability level quality of life functional performance and the sonographic measures of muscle thickness and control of abdominal and pelvic floor muscles In addition the correctness of pelvic floor muscle contraction was assessed each week using the transabdominal sonography After 8-week intervention the pain disability quality of life and functional performance were significantly improved in both groups But no statistical difference was found between the two groups In overall the transabdominal sonography-guided biofeedback group tended to have higher rate of correct pelvic floor muscle contraction In conclusion 8-week pelvic stabilization exercise intervention in the current study was able to improve pain disability quality of life and functional performance for the postpartum women with PPGP The transabdominal sonography-guided biofeedback might facilitate the correct learning of the pelvic floor muscles contraction

Date of Award	2020
Original language	English
Supervisor	Yi-Ju Tsai (Supervisor)