Interaction between the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and demographic characteristics on sexual/erectile dysfunction in Latin America: cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Aim: Our objective was to investigate whether there is an interaction between the COVID-19 pandemic, demographic characteristics and erectile/sexual (E/S) function in individuals from Latin America. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study which included Latin American individuals over 18 years old, recruited through social media and interviewed between July and August 2020 by online surveys (Google Forms) in Portuguese and Spanish languages. The E/S function was evaluated through the following questionnaires: Simplified International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI); while post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed through the Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES-R). The data was analyzed by T Student, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression, with significance determined by the Wald test (p<0.05), using the R software v4.0. Results: Out of the 2016 individuals that responded to the survey, 1986 were included and 743 of them presented E/S dysfunction. PTSD occurrence was greater among people with E/S dysfunction when compared to those without E/S dysfunction, in the total score (males: IES-R=26.54[±19.17] and females: IES-R=35.92[±19.25]) and also in the three domains. It was found that those who do not live with a partner were 74% more likely to have E/S dysfunction, but living with a partner during the pandemic had a greater impact on E/S function. Conclusion: A negative interaction between the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and erectile/sexual function of the Latin American population was observed, with greater implications among the individuals who live with their partners.

Interaction between the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and demographic characteristics on sexual/erectile dysfunction in Latin America: cross-sectional study.

AIM: Our objective was to investigate whether there is an interaction between the COVID-19 pandemic, demographic characteristics and erectile/sexual (E/S) function in individuals from Latin America. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study which included Latin American individuals over 18 years old, recruited through social media and interviewed between July and August 2020 by online surveys (Google Forms) in Portuguese and Spanish languages. The E/S function was evaluated through the following questionnaires: Simplified International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI); while post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed through the Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES-R). The data was analyzed by T Student, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression, with significance determined by the Wald test (p<0.05), using the R software v4.0. RESULTS: Out of the 2016 individuals that responded to the survey, 1986 were included and 743 of them presented E/S dysfunction. PTSD occurrence was greater among people with E/S dysfunction when compared to those without E/S dysfunction, in the total score (males: IES-R=26.54[±19.17] and females: IES-R=35.92[±19.25]) and also in the three domains. It was found that those who do not live with a partner were 74% more likely to have E/S dysfunction, but living with a partner during the pandemic had a greater impact on E/S function. CONCLUSION: A negative interaction between the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and erectile/sexual function of the Latin American population was observed, with greater implications among the individuals who live with their partners.

Impact of pelvic floor muscle strength on female sexual function: retrospective multicentric cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The female pelvic floor muscles (PFM) play an important role in sexual function. We hypothesize that there is a relation between PFM strength and sexual function in women with and without sexual dysfunction. METHODS: Retrospective multicentric cross-sectional study including women with and without sexual dysfunction [Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) cutoff point < 26.55], analyzed by age range, considering demographic, clinical, anthropometric and PFM strength [Modified Oxford Scale (MOS)] data. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney test and linear regression (ranks) were used, with 5% significance (SAS 9.4). RESULTS: Out of 1013 medical records, 982 women with an average age of 45.76 (± 15.25) were included in the study. Of these, 679 (69.14%) presented FSFI score < 26.55, while 303 (30.86%) presented FSFI ≥ 26.55. It was identified that the higher scores were among white women, < 45 years old, single, with higher education, family income > 4 minimum wages, body mass index < 25 kg/m2, lower parity, regular physical activity practitioner and higher PFM strength (MOS: 4-5). Desire, arousal, lubrication and orgasm domains were higher among women with MOS 4-5, while satisfaction and pain domains were higher among those with MOS 3-5. CONCLUSION: Demographic, clinical and anthropometric conditions can influence both PFM strength and female sexual function. Our findings demonstrate that women with higher PFM strength present fewer complaints about sexual dysfunction.

Can Supervised Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Through Gametherapy Relieve Urinary Incontinence Symptoms in Climacteric Women? A Feasibility Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) through gametherapy for relieving urinary symptoms of climacteric women with stress or mixed urinary incontinence (UI). METHODS: Randomized clinical trial, divided into two groups: Gametherapy (G_Game) and Control (G_Control). Both groups received recommendations about unsupervised PFMT, and G_Game also received supervised PFMT through gametherapy. After 5 consecutive weeks, the feasibility was investigated considering participant adherence, urinary symptoms (evaluated by the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form [ICIQ-UI-SF] questionnaire), and pelvic floor function (PERFECT Scheme: power, endurance, repetition and fast). The Fisher exact, Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon sign paired, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used by intention-to-treat analysis, using STATA 15.1 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA) software. RESULTS: The present study included 20 women per group and observed a higher adherence in G_Game. In the intragroup analysis, a decrease in the ICIQ-UI-SF score was observed in both groups (14.0 to 10.0; 13.5 to 0), associated with increased endurance (2.5 to 3.5; 2.5 to 4.0) in G_Control and G_Game, respectively. Moreover, there was a concomitant increase in pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) power (2.0 to 3.0), repetition (3.0 to 5.0), and fast (10.0 to 10.0) in G_Game. In the intergroup analysis, a reduction of UI was observed (p < 0.001; r = 0.8), as well an increase in PFM power (p = 0.027, r = 0.2) and endurance (p = 0.033; r = 0.3) in G_Game. CONCLUSION: The feasibility of supervised PFMT through gametherapy was identified by observing participant adherence, relief of urinary symptoms, and improvement in PFM function.

OBJETIVO: Investigar a viabilidade do treinamento dos músculos do assoalho pélvico (TMAP) por meio de gameterapia no alívio de sintomas urinários em mulheres climatéricas com incontinência urinária (IU) de esforço ou mista. MéTODOS: Ensaio clínico randomizado, dividido em dois grupos: Gameterapia (G_Game) e Controle (G_Controle). Ambos os grupos receberam recomendações sobre TMAP não supervisionado, e G_Game também recebeu TMAP supervisionado por meio de gameterapia. Após 5 semanas consecutivas, a viabilidade foi investigada considerando a aderência das participantes, sintomas urinários (avaliados pelo questionário International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form [ICIQ-UI-SF]) e função do assoalho pélvico (esquema PERFECT: power, endurance, repetition, fast). Os testes exatos de Fisher, Kruskal-Wallis, sinal de Wilcoxon pareado e Mann-Whitney U foram usados pela análise de intenção de tratar, usando o software STATA 15.1 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, EUA). RESULTADOS: O presente estudo incluiu 20 mulheres por grupo e observou uma maior adesão no G_Game. Na análise intragrupo, foi observada diminuição no escore do ICIQ-UI-SF em ambos os grupos (de 14,0 para 10,0; de 13,5 para 0), associada ao aumento da resistência (de 2,5 para 3,5; de 2,5 para 4,0) em G_Control e G_Game, respectivamente. Além disso, houve um aumento concomitante no power (de 2,0 para 3,0), repetition (de 3,0 para 5,0) e fast (de 10,0 para 10,0) dos músculos do assoalho pélvico (MAPs) no G_Game. Na análise intergrupos, foi observada redução da IU (p < 0,001; r = 0,8), assim como do power (p = 0,027; r = 0,2) e da endurance (p = 0,033; r = 0,3) dos MAPs no G_Game. CONCLUSãO: A viabilidade do TMAP supervisionado por meio de gameterapia foi identificada pela observação da aderência das participantes, pelo alívio dos sintomas urinários e pela melhora da função dos MAPs.

Can Supervised Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Through Gametherapy Relieve Urinary Incontinence Symptoms in Climacteric Women? A Feasibility Study / O treinamento por meio de gameterapia pode aliviar os sintomas de incontinência urinária em mulheres climatéricas? Um estudo de viabilidade

Abstract Objective To investigate the feasibility of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) through gametherapy for relieving urinary symptoms of climacteric women with stress ormixed urinary incontinence (UI). Methods Randomized clinical trial, divided into two groups: Gametherapy (G_Game) and Control (G_Control). Both groups received recommendations about unsupervised PFMT, and G_Game also received supervised PFMT through gametherapy. After 5 consecutive weeks, the feasibility was investigated considering participant adherence, urinary symptoms (evaluated by the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form [ICIQ-UI-SF] questionnaire), and pelvic floor function (PERFECT Scheme: power, endurance, repetition and fast). The Fisher exact, Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon sign paired, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used by intention-to-treat analysis, using STATA 15.1 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA) software. Results The present study included 20 women per group and observed a higher adherence in G_Game. In the intragroup analysis, a decrease in the ICIQ-UI-SF score was observed in both groups (14.0 to 10.0; 13.5 to 0), associated with increased endurance (2.5 to 3.5; 2.5 to 4.0) in G_Control and G_Game, respectively. Moreover, there was a concomitant increase in pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) power (2.0 to 3.0), repetition (3.0 to 5.0), and fast (10.0 to 10.0) in G_Game. In the intergroup analysis, a reduction of UI was observed (p<0.001; r=0.8), as well an increase in PFM power (p=0.027, r=0.2) and endurance (p=0.033; r=0.3) in G_Game. Conclusion The feasibility of supervised PFMT through gametherapy was identified by observing participant adherence, relief of urinary symptoms, and improvement in PFM function.

Resumo Objetivo Investigar a viabilidade do treinamento dos músculos do assoalho pélvico (TMAP) por meio de gameterapia no alívio de sintomas urinários em mulheres climatéricas com incontinência urinária (IU) de esforço ou mista. Métodos Ensaio clínico randomizado, dividido em dois grupos: Gameterapia (G_Game) e Controle (G_Controle). Ambos os grupos receberam recomendações sobre TMAP não supervisionado, e G_Gametambém recebeu TMAP supervisionado por meio de gameterapia. Após 5 semanas consecutivas, a viabilidade foi investigada considerando a aderência das participantes, sintomas urinários (avaliados pelo questionário International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form [ICIQ-UI-SF]) e função do assoalho pélvico (esquema PERFECT: power, endurance, repetition, fast). Os testes exatos de Fisher, Kruskal-Wallis, sinal de Wilcoxon pareado e Mann-Whitney U foram usados pela análise de intenção de tratar, usando o software STATA 15.1 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, EUA). Resultados O presente estudo incluiu 20 mulheres por grupo e observou uma maior adesão no G_Game. Na análise intragrupo, foi observada diminuição no escore do ICIQUI- SF emambos os grupos (de 14,0 para 10,0; de 13,5 para 0), associada ao aumento da resistência (de 2,5 para 3,5; de 2,5 para 4,0) em G_Control e G_Game, respectivamente. Além disso, houve um aumento concomitante no power (de 2,0 para 3,0), repetition (de 3,0 para 5,0) e fast (de 10,0 para 10,0) dosmúsculos do assoalho pélvico (MAPs) no G_Game. Na análise intergrupos, foi observada redução da IU (p<0,001; r=0,8), assim como do power (p=0,027; r=0,2) e da endurance (p=0,033; r=0,3) dos MAPs no G_Game. Conclusão A viabilidade do TMAP supervisionado por meio de gameterapia foi identificada pela observação da aderência das participantes, pelo alívio dos sintomas urinários e pela melhora da função dos MAPs.

Effect of the Auricular Acupoint Associated with Physical Exercise in Elderly People: A Randomized Clinical Test.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of auricular acupoint associated with physical exercise on balance, mobility, and fear of falling in the elderly. METHOD: The study is characterized as a clinical, controlled, and randomized trial with 22 elderly people divided into two groups: kinesiotherapy group (n = 11) and kinesiotherapy/auriculotherapy group (n = 11). The instruments used for evaluation were Falls Efficacy Scale International; Berg Balance Scale, and Timed up and Go Test. The intervention was performed with frequency 2×/week for 8 weeks. In the kinesiotherapy/auriculotherapy group, in addition to kinesiotherapy, auriculotherapy was applied in specific acupoints. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to determine the normality of the data, and for comparison, analysis of variance was used for repeated measures of two factors. RESULTS: There was a significant intragroup reduction for the Timed up and Go Test (p = 0.00) and Falls Efficacy Scale International (p = 0.00), and significant intragroup Berg Balance Scale (p = 0.00) for both groups. CONCLUSION: The auricular acupoint did not influence the balance, mobility, and fear of falling in the elderly studied.

Training through gametherapy promotes coactivation of the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles in young women, nulliparous and continents.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: several studies have been investigated co-activation can enhance the effectveness of PFM training protocols allowing preventive and therapeutic goals in pelvic floor dysfunctions. The objective of the present study was to investigate if an abdominal-pelvic protocol of training (APT) using gametherapy would allow co-activation of PFM and transversus abdominis/oblique internal (TrA/OI) muscles. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five nulliparous, continent, young females, with median age 24.76 (±3.76) years were evaluated using digital palpation (DP) of PFM and surfasse electromyography of PFM and TrA/OI simultaneously, during maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), alternating PFM and TrA/OI contraction requests. All women participated on a supervised program of APT using gametherapy, that included exercises of pelvic mobilization associated to contraction of TrA/OI muscles oriented by virtual games, for 30 minutes, three times a week, in a total of 10 sessions. Electromyographic data were processed and analyzed by ANOVA - analysis of variance. RESULTS: When MVC of TrA/OI was solicited, it was observed simultaneous increase of electromyographic activity of PFM (p=0.001) following ATP. However, EMG activity did not change significantly during MVC of PFM. CONCLUSION: Training using gametherapy allowed better co-activation of pelvic floor muscles in response to contraction of TrA, in young nulliparous and continent women.

Training through gametherapy promotes coactivation of the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles in young women, nulliparous and continents

ABSTRACT Introduction and objectives: Several studies have been investigated co-activation can enhance the effectveness of PFM training protocols allowing preventive and therapeutic goals in pelvic floor dysfunctions. The objective of the present study was to investigate if an abdominal-pelvic protocol of training (APT) using gametherapy would allow co-activation of PFM and transversus abdominis/oblique internal (TrA/OI) muscles. Patients and methods: Twenty-five nulliparous, continent, young females, with median age 24.76 (±3.76) years were evaluated using digital palpation (DP) of PFM and surface electromyography of PFM and TrA/OI simultaneously, during maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), alternating PFM and TrA/OI contraction requests. All women participated on a supervised program of APT using gametherapy, that included exercises of pelvic mobilization associated to contraction of TrA/OI muscles oriented by virtual games, for 30 minutes, three times a week, in a total of 10 sessions. Electromyographic data were processed and analyzed by ANOVA - analysis of variance. Results: When MVC of TrA/OI was solicited, it was observed simultaneous increase of electromyographic activity of PFM (p=0.001) following ATP. However, EMG activity did not change significantly during MVC of PFM. Conclusion: Training using gametherapy allowed better co-activation of pelvic floor muscles in response to contraction of TrA, in young nulliparous and continent women.

Efeitos do método isostretching na função respiratória e postura de respiradores bucal / Isostretching method effects on lung function and posture of mouth breathers

Introdução: A respiração bucal interfe na tonicidade, na postura, na mobilidade e na sensibilidade de órgãos fonoarticulatórios, podendo gerar hábitos orais viciosos. Objetivo: Avaliar a capacidade respiratória e a postura de respiradores bucais submetidos à técnica de isostretching. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo e quasi-experimental, em que a postura de 17 crianças foi avaliada por fotogrametria e os parâmetros respiratórios avaliados pela cirtometria; pela manovacuometria, e por peak flow. As crianças foram avaliadas inicialmente e ao final de 12 sessões da técnica isostretching. Resultados: Houve mudança nos ângulos esternoclavicular (Inicial: 3,57±1,54; Final 2,08±0,93, p= 0,003); espinha ilíaca ântero-superior (Inicial: 3,31±2,51; Final: 2,00±1,26, p= 0,001) e posterosuperior (Inicial: 2,99±2,22; Final 1,62±1,92, p= 0,009) e na pressão expiratória máxima (PEmáx) (Inicial: 79,29±16,11; Final 91,17±17,80, p= 0,001) e Peak Flow (Inicial: 279,41±72,92; Final 310,91±66,65, p= 0,01). Conclusão: O tratamento com isostretching foi eficaz para melhorar a capacidade respiratória e para alterar ângulos posturais.

Introduction: Mouth breathing interferes with tonicity, posture, mobility and sensitivity of phonoarticulatory organs, which may generate vicious oral habits. Objective: Assessing the posture and the breathing capacity of mouth breathers submitted to the isostretching technique. Methods: A prospective, quasi-experimental study in which the posture of 17 children was assessed by photogrammetry and the respiratory parameters were evaluated by cirtometry; manovacuometry and peak flow. The children were evaluated before the first session and successively after 12 sessions of isostretching technique. Results: There was a change in the sternoclavicular angles (Initial: 3.57±1.54, Final 2.08±0.93; p=0.003), anterosuperior (Initial: 3.31±2.51, Final: 2.00±1.26; p= 0.001) and posterosuperior (Initial: 2.99±2.22, Final 1.62±1.92, p= 0.009) iliac spine, maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) (Initial: 79.29±16.11; Final 91.17±17.80; p= 0.001) and in the Peak Flow (Initial: 279.41±72.92, Final 310.91±66.65; p= 0.01). Conclusion: Treatment with isostretching was effective to improve the respiratory capacity and to change the postural angles.

Virtual reality: a proposal for pelvic floor muscle training.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This video's proposal was to present one of the pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training programs, used in our research, that we designed as a virtual reality intervention protocol and investigated its effects on PFM contractility. METHODS: Two clinical, controlled and prospective studies were conducted, one with 19 nulliparous women without urinary symptoms, who were evaluated by both electromyography and digital palpation (DP) and another with 27 postmenopausal women with mixed urinary symptoms (assessed by both ICIQ UI-SF and ICIQ-OAB), evaluated by vaginal dynamometry and DP, with a total of 46 women in both studies. This protocol was designed so that the participant would play a video game, seated on a pressure base platform, while commanding it through her pelvic movements. Using a virtual reality game, five activities were performed during 30 min, twice a week, with a total of 10 sessions. RESULTS: A significant increase in PFM strength was found in both the nulliparous (p = 0.0001) and the postmenopausal (p = 0.0001) groups of women, as ascertained by DP. A significant increase in postmenopausal women's muscle strength and endurance assessed by dynamometry (p = 0.05) and a concomitant decrease in their urinary symptoms, were observed. CONCLUSION: This virtual reality program promoted an increase in PFM contractility and a decrease in postmenopausal urinary symptoms.

Abdominopelvic kinesiotherapy for pelvic floor muscle training: a tested proposal in different groups.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This video's proposal was to present one of the pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training programs used in our research, and to study the effects of abdominopelvic kinesiotherapy on female PFM function. METHODS: A total of 82 women participated in this study, 11 nulliparous, 13 primiparous pregnant, 20 primiparous postpartum and 38 postmenopausal women, who were evaluated first by digital palpation, then by either electromyography or vaginal dynamometry to investigate their PFM strength, followed by ICIQ UI-SF and ICIQ-OAB to evaluate urinary symptoms. This intervention protocol lasted for 60 min, three times a week, with a total of 10 sessions, and was supervised by a physiotherapist, using a gym ball, according to Marques and collaborators. RESULTS: A significant increase in PFM strength was observed by digital palpation in all groups. This finding was confirmed by electromyography in both pregnant (p = 0.0001) and postpartum (p = 0.0001) groups, as well as in 20 of the 38 women from the postmenopausal group (p = 0.003) then by vaginal dynamometry (p = 0.02) in the rest of the women (18) from the same group, with a concomitant decrease in urinary symptoms (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The abdominopelvic kinesiotherapy program promotes an increase in pelvic floor muscle strength and a decrease in urinary symptoms.