[Retracted] Effects of Adding Ultrasound Biofeedback to Individualized Pelvic Floor Muscle Training on Extensibility of the Pelvic Floor Muscle and Anterior Pelvic Organ Prolapse in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine effects of adding transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) biofeedback to individualized pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on extensibility of the pelvic floor muscle and anterior pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in postmenopausal women. A total of 77 patients with POP at stage I or stage II were admitted to Beijing Shijitan Hospital, China, from January 2017 to October 2018. They were randomly divided into a control group (CG) (n = 37) or a study group (SG) (n = 40). Both SG and CG received a 12-week PFMT including health education, verbal instruction, and home training. However, the SG, but not the CG, received additional TPUS biofeedback. Data of these patients were retrospectively reviewed. The distance from the lowest point of the bladder to the inferior-posterior margin of the symphysis pubis (BSP) and the levator hiatus area (LHA) were measured on maximal Valsalva via TPUS before and after the 12-week PFMT. Correct pelvic floor muscle contraction (PFMC) rates before and after PFMT were compared between the two groups. The correct PFMC rate was higher in the SG than that in the CG (92.5% vs. 73%; x2 = 5.223, p = 0.022 ). The BSP was increased but the LHA was reduced after the 12-week PFMT in both groups compared to those before PFMT (all p < 0.05 ). However, after the PFMT, the SG showed greater improvement than the CG for both BSP (0.77 ± 0.71 cm vs. 0.11 ± 0.66 cm, p < 0.05 ) and LHA (20.69 ± 2.77 cm2 vs. 22.85 ± 3.98 cm2, p < 0.05 ). TPUS might be an effective biofeedback tool for PFMT in clinical practice. Individualized PFMT with TPUS biofeedback could significantly attenuate POP severity and strengthen the extensibility of pelvic floor muscle in postmenopausal women when they are under increased intraabdominal pressure.

MSK Ultrasound - An IJSPT Perspective

“…54,55 Other rehabilitation applications include pelvic health for urinary incontinence. 56,57 INTERVENTIONAL MSK ULTRASOUND Physical therapists can integrate MSK-US into their interventions to guide treatment. Silleves et al 58 reported a case of a runner with plantar fasciitis managed with MSK-US imaging to guide decision-making for optimal treatment location and progress.…”

The Pros and Cons of Hystero-preservation on Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery

“…found that PFMT with ultrasound biofeedback attenuated POP severity and strengthened pelvic floor muscles. [ 14 ] Related studies on application of biofeedback on PFMT of POP treatment remain inconclusive.…”

The Process of Diagnosis and Treatment of Female Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and the Clinical Application of Physical Therapy

“…A smallsample study published in 2017 evaluated the efficacy of biofeedback in patients with mild-tomoderate POP, and the results suggested that the intervention improved patients' quality of life [116]. Another small-sample study included 77 patients with POP degrees I-II for evaluating the effect of PFMT combined with biofeedback, and the results suggested that PFMT combined with biofeedback significantly reduced the degree of prolapse in POP and enhanced pelvic floor muscle extension in postmenopausal women with elevated intra-abdominal pressure [117]. Overall, there is a lack of high-quality research on the use of biofeedback in pelvic organ prolapse, and studies with larger sample sizes are needed to verify its efficacy.…”