Abstract
Conservative treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) includes therapeutic exercise for pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training or other complementary exercise modalities, such as hypopressive exercises. However, the long-term effectiveness of the conservative treatment depends on a patient’s adherence to the exercises and the integration of professional health advice into their daily life. The objective of this study was to establish the adherence experience of women with diagnosed PFD in home-based exercises after an intensive face-to-face physiotherapy treatment. A qualitative study from an interpretive paradigm was developed. Semi-structured individual and group interviews were performed 6 months after finishing individual physiotherapy treatment. The interviews were recorded, fully transcribed and analyzed thematically by creating categories. Thirty-one women were interviewed. The women reported that their adherence to home PFM exercises depended on the exercise program itself, its efficacy, their personal experiences with the exercises, intrinsic factors such as self-awareness or beliefs, and extrinsic factors, such as professional or instrumental feedback. Thus, therapeutic adherence could be more likely with effective physiotherapy programs that include mutually agreed home exercises and simple movements women can build into their daily lives. Improving awareness and knowledge of the pelvic region and the importance of PFM treatment as well as consideration for potential worsening of PFD will also encourage women to adhere to the exercises.
Highlights
The pelvic floor muscles (PFM) play an important role in the preservation of urinary and anal continence, in pelvic organ support and in sexual function, among others [1]
The weakness and loss of PFM properties are associated with the development and maintenance of pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFD) [2,3]
Prevalence studies estimate that PFD affect up to 40% of women [4], including symptoms of urinary incontinence (UI), pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and anal incontinence (AI), which are the most frequent PFD
Summary
The pelvic floor muscles (PFM) play an important role in the preservation of urinary and anal continence, in pelvic organ support and in sexual function, among others [1]. Prevalence studies estimate that PFD affect up to 40% of women [4], including symptoms of urinary incontinence (UI), pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and anal incontinence (AI), which are the most frequent PFD. The first line of treatment for mild PFD is focused on specific PFM exercises [5,6], which can involve a therapeutic education program [7] to provide knowledge and self-management strategies to women. Patient adherence to a prescribed exercise program and to health professional advice seems to be one of the determining variables to ensure the success of the treatment in the short and long term [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
