Biofeedback and the electromyographic activity of pelvic floor muscles in pregnant women

Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy

Roberta L. A. Batista¹  Maira M. Franco¹  Luciane M. V. Naldoni¹  Geraldo Duarte¹  Anamaria S. Oliveira¹  Cristine H. J. Ferreira¹ 

[1] ,Universidade de São Paulo Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto Ribeirão Preto SP ,Brazil

关键词: pelvic floor;    biofeedback;    electromyography;    physical therapy;    rehabilitation;    assoalho pélvico;    biofeedback;    eletromiografia;    fisioterapia;    reabilitação;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S1413-35552011005000026

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

BACKGROUND: Maintaining continence is among the functions of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and their dysfunction can cause urinary incontinence (UI), which is a common occurrence during pregnancy and the puerperal period. Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), therefore, is important during pregnancy, although most women perform the muscle contractions unsatisfactorily. OBJECTIVES: This study is an exploratory analysis of the results of three electromyographic (EMG) activity biofeedback sessions in pregnant women. METHODS: The study sample included 19 nulliparous women with low risk pregnancies. The participants performed three sessions of EMG biofeedback consisting of slow and fast contractions. The average value of the normalized amplitudes of surface electromyography was used to evaluate the results. The linear regression model with mixed effects was used for statistical analysis, with the EMG data normalized by maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). RESULTS: A steady increase in EMG amplitude was observed during each contraction and by the end of the biofeedback sessions, although this difference was only significant when comparing the first tonic contraction of each session (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that three sessions of training with biofeedback improved PFM EMG activity during the second trimester in women with low-risk pregnancies. The effectiveness of this protocol should be further investigated in randomized controlled trials.

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