Comparing Motor Control of the Lumbosacral Region and Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength and Performance in Women with C-Section and Vaginal Birth

Abstract

Background: Delivery is a physiological process that may cause neurophysiological changes in the lumbosacral region. Objectives: The current study aimed to compare motor control of the lumbosacral region and pelvic floor muscle strength and performance in women with C-section and vaginal birth. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 120 prim parous women referring to healthcare centers in Karaj (Iran) during 2019 are studied. The participants were selected using convenience sampling. The motor control of the lumbosacral region was examined by four clinical tests (standing bent, active straight leg raising, bent knee fall out, and knee lift abdominal test) using a pressure biofeedback unit. Muscle strength and performance were measured using the Oxford scoring system and the PFPI-20 questionnaire, respectively. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, Mann-Whitney, and Chi-square tests. Statistical significance was considered when P value < 0.05. Results: Based on the standing bent test, a significant difference was found between those in vaginal delivery and C-section groups (P = 0.011). Also, the mean scores of muscular strengths (P = 0.009) and pelvic floor muscular function (P = 0.01) in the vaginal delivery group were significantly higher than the C-section group. Conclusions: the mean scores of pelvic floor motor control, pelvic floor muscular strength, and function in the C-section group were higher than those in the vaginal delivery group. This study demonstrated the necessity of postpartum pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation, especially in vaginal delivery.