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INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study was aimed at exploring the immediate impacts of pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFMEs) on various maternal physiological parameters in pregnant women. METHODS: The study included a total of 52 women, 26 pregnant (Pregnant group: 28.04±6.01 years; 26.83±3.81 kg/m2) and 26 nonpregnant (Control group: 29.42±5.73 years; 25.41±3.03 kg/m2) individuals. All women received PFME as follows: PFME was performed for 5 min (6-s holding contraction, 10 s of relaxation, 3 rapid PFM contractions). Evaluations were conducted before, immediately after, and 5 min post-exercise, with measurements including inferior vena cava (IVC) diameters and pulsatility index, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and heart rates. Two-way analysis of variance was performed for group and time comparisons in repeated measurements. RESULTS: In both groups, the IVC collapsibility index values were lower 5 min after exercise, although this decrease, although clinically significant, did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.057). Post-exercise systolic blood pressure significantly decreased in both groups, whereas diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly in the pregnant group (p = 0.001, p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: The study found no statistically significant changes in the collapsibility index of the IVC after PFME but observed a clinically suggestive decrease. The clinical decrease in the collapsibility index can be interpreted as PFME in the supine position increasing venous return. Additionally, PFME was found not to alter maternal and fetal heart rates but contributed to the decrease in maternal systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Our study supports the view that the acute effects of PFME neither induce fetal stress nor pose maternal risks.
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OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of motor imagery-based physical activity on maternal well-being, maternal blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, fetal heart rate, and uterine contractions in women with high-risk pregnancies. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in Izmir Tepecik Education and Research Hospital from August 2023 to January 2024. Seventy-six women with high-risk pregnancies were randomized into two groups: a motor imagery group (n = 38, diaphragmatic-breathing exercise and motor imagery-based physical activity) and a control group (n = 38, diaphragmatic-breathing exercise). Maternal well-being was determined using the Numerical Rating Scale-11. Digital sphygmomanometry was used to measure maternal heart rate and blood pressure, pulse oximetry for oxygen saturation, and cardiotocography for fetal heart rate and uterine contractions. Assessments were performed pre-intervention, mid-intervention, and post-intervention. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between groups (P > 0.05). There was a significant main effect of time in terms of maternal well-being and maternal heart rate (P = 0.001 and P = 0.015). In addition, there was a significant main effect of the group on oxygen saturation (P = 0.025). The overall group-by-time interaction was significant for maternal well-beingm with an effect size of 0.05 (P = 0.041). CONCLUSION: The combination of diaphragmatic-breathing exercises and a motor imagery-based physical activity program in women with high-risk pregnancies was determined to have no adverse effects on the fetus, did not induce uterine contractions, and resulted in a significant improvement in maternal well-being and oxygen saturation. Thus, imagery-based physical activity can be used in high-risk pregnancies where physical activity and exercise are not recommended.
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INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study was aimed at comparing the efficacy of Knack maneuver training taught using different techniques on pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function, urinary symptoms, and perception of improvement in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: We conducted a prospective nonrandomized study of 46 women with SUI. Assessments included: PFM functions (secondary outcome, SO) using a Myomed 932 EMG biofeedback device, urinary incontinence symptoms using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Urinary Incontinence-Short Form (ICIQ-SF; primary outcome), the Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6; SO), and the Incontinence Severity Index (ISI; SO), and perception of improvement using the Global Perceived Impact scale. The women were divided into three groups according to their preference: group 1 (Knack maneuver training with electromyography biofeedback), group 2 (Knack maneuver training with verbal instruction), and group 3 (Knack maneuver training with vaginal palpation). An education program was also given to all women individually. The training program was 1 day per week for 4 weeks. RESULTS: There was an improvement in UDI-6, ICIQ-SF, and ISI scores in all groups (p<0.05). The maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of the PFMs increased in group 2 (p=0.002), whereas both the MVC of PFMs and PFM contraction during Valsalva increased in group 3 (p=0.011 and p=0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the teaching methods, the Knack maneuver and education programs were effective on urinary symptoms in women with mild to moderate SUI. The Knack maneuver training with vaginal palpation and verbal instruction improved MVC of PFMs. All three different teaching methods might be used in SUI treatment programs.
