Therapeutic exercise in the reduction of diastasis recti: case reports

Background: Diastasis recti is a significant musculoskeletal disorder usually found during pregnancy and postpartum; however, there is insufficient information on the efficacy of therapeutic exercise in the reduction of postpartum diastasis recti

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of therapeutic exercise in the reduction of diastasis recti

Patients and Methods: Three diastasis recti patients were recruited from a privately owned gymnasium and were initially diagnosed as having obstinate accumulation of fat around the abdomen. A gynaecologist from a privately owned hospital and the researcher were involved in the diagnosis of the condition [diastasis recti]. A dial caliper was used to take the inter-recti distance pre and post administration of exercise. Diastasis recti correction therapeutic exercise was administered for an average of 15 sessions to two patients. The third patient did not receive any intervention. The study lasted for 6 weeks

Results: The two patients that received therapeutic exercise had the inter-recti distance [IRD] reduced from an average of 9.2cm to 3.4 cm and still remain at 3.4cm without any intervention at 16 weeks follow up assessment. The third patient who received no exercise had her IRD 7cm throughout and at 16 weeks follow up slightly increased to 7.8cm

Conclusion: It was concluded that therapeutic exercise [modified Noble's diastasis recti correction exercise] is effective in the reduction of postpartum DR

Erectile dysfunction in older male stroke patients: correlation between side of hemiplegia and erectile function

This study was conducted to determine the effects of hemiplegia on erectile function in stroke patients. One hundred and five stroke patients grouped into left (61.78±7.79 years) and 55 right hemiplegic (62.11 ± 9.32 years) and 40 age-matched controls (64.00± 8.53 years).The International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire was used for data collection. One way analysis of variance and Spearman correlation tests were used in data analysis. Erectile function was significantly decreased in the both right (IIEF-5, 7.55 ± 4.07) and left hemiplegic groups (IIEF-5, 10.40 ± 5. 70) compared with the control group (IIEF-5, 20.50 ±4.2 7) p<0.05. Side of hemiplegia significantly correlated with erectile dysfunction at p<0.01. Conclusively, stroke mostly affects erectile function of right hemiplegia (Afr J Reprod Health 2009; 13[2]:49-54)

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in the symptomatic management of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a placebo-control randomized trial

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in the symptomatic management of chronic prostatitis pain/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. DESIGN: A pretest, posttest randomized double blind design was used in data collection. PARTICIPANT: Twenty-four patients diagnosed with chronic prostatitis- category IIIA and IIIB of the National Institute of Health Chronic Pain (NIH-CP) were referred for physiotherapy from the Urology department. Intervention: Pre treatment pain level was assessed using the NIH-CP (pain domain) index. The TENS group received TENS treatment, 5 times per week for a period of 4 weeks (mean treatment frequency, intensity, pulse width and duration of 60Hz, 100µS, 25mA and 20 minutes respectively). The Analgesic group received no TENS treatment but continued analgesics; the Control group received no TENS and Analgesic but placebo. All subjects were placed on antibiotics throughout the treatment period. Outcome measures: Post-treatment pain level was also assessed using NIH-CP pain index. RESULT: Findings of the study revealed significant effect of TENS on chronic prostatitis pain at p < 0.05. CONCLUSION: TENS is an effective means of non-invasive symptomatic management of chronic prostatitis pain.