Quality of life Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2011;33(12):408-413
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032011001200006
PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of physical activity on the quality of life of middle-aged women. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 370 women aged 40 to 65 years-old recruited from a population-based sample. Enrollment took place in Basic Health Units in each health district of the city (North, South, East, and West) from June to September 2011. According to the Municipal Health Department of the City, 20,801 women were assisted at the Basic Health Units during a one-year period. The sample size calculation was stratified by district and based on a 95% confidence level with a power of 80%, as well as an error estimate of 5% and it was considered proportional to the number of patients classified as having adequate quality of life (indicator >26) in the general population. Data were collected while women waited for their routine appointment at the Health Unit. WHOQOL-Bref was used to evaluate the quality of life, and menopause rating scale (MRS) was used to determine climacteric symptoms. The level of physical activity was assessed by means of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). To obtain the classification of PA levels, we used three categories: sedentary, moderately active, and very active. Statistical analysis was performed using the Minitab software, version 16. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 49.8 years-old (±8.1) and they were predominantly Caucasian (72.7%), married (61.6%), non-smokers (93.5%), and had High School education (47.8%). Using the WHOQOL, mean scores were found to be significantly different between the groups (low, moderate, and vigorous physical activity), classified according to the domains of quality of life (p<0.01). Concerning physical activity and climacteric symptoms, significant differences were found for all domains: psychological (p<0.01), vegetative-somatic (p<0.01), and urogenital (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity improves quality of life in middle-aged women.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2011;33(12):408-413
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032011001200006
PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of physical activity on the quality of life of middle-aged women. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 370 women aged 40 to 65 years-old recruited from a population-based sample. Enrollment took place in Basic Health Units in each health district of the city (North, South, East, and West) from June to September 2011. According to the Municipal Health Department of the City, 20,801 women were assisted at the Basic Health Units during a one-year period. The sample size calculation was stratified by district and based on a 95% confidence level with a power of 80%, as well as an error estimate of 5% and it was considered proportional to the number of patients classified as having adequate quality of life (indicator >26) in the general population. Data were collected while women waited for their routine appointment at the Health Unit. WHOQOL-Bref was used to evaluate the quality of life, and menopause rating scale (MRS) was used to determine climacteric symptoms. The level of physical activity was assessed by means of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). To obtain the classification of PA levels, we used three categories: sedentary, moderately active, and very active. Statistical analysis was performed using the Minitab software, version 16. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 49.8 years-old (±8.1) and they were predominantly Caucasian (72.7%), married (61.6%), non-smokers (93.5%), and had High School education (47.8%). Using the WHOQOL, mean scores were found to be significantly different between the groups (low, moderate, and vigorous physical activity), classified according to the domains of quality of life (p<0.01). Concerning physical activity and climacteric symptoms, significant differences were found for all domains: psychological (p<0.01), vegetative-somatic (p<0.01), and urogenital (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity improves quality of life in middle-aged women.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2011;33(5):231-237
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032011000500005
PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between quality of life and spinal fracture in women aged over 60 living in Southern Brazil. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted with the application of the WHOQOL-bref questionnaire to 100 women living in the city of Chapecó (SC), aged over 60, postmenopausal, white or Caucasian, with no important cognitive impairment or a history of diseases known to affect bone metabolism, or malignant neoplasias. The population was divided into two groups depending on the presence or absence of fractures in the spine radiography. We analyzed variables related to the current and previous medical history, life habits and family history of fractures, and the domains and facets that compose the WHOQOL-bref. All participants were informed about the objectives and methodologies adopted and gave written informed consent to participate in the study. RESULTS: The mean age of the women in the fracture group was older than that of women with fractures (p<0.05). Also women with fractures tended to belong to a higher social class, to have more years of study, a higher family income, and a greater use of alcoholic drinks (p<0.05). In the evaluation of the WHOQOL-bref domains, the fracture group had the highest average in the psychological field (..=63.6± 3.0) and the lowest in the environment field (..=9.3±58.8). In the group without fracture, the highest average also occurred in the psychological domain (..=67.2± 9.3) and the lowest in the field of social relations (..=57.5±7.7). Statistical analysis showed no significant correlation between the averages of the facets that make up the areas between the groups with and without fractures. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that there is no impairment of quality of life among older women with vertebral fractures, but the relation between QL and time of occurrence and severity of the fractures should be better evaluated. Both groups had higher scores in the psychological domain, showing that the respondents rely on personal beliefs, spirituality and religion, accept their physical appearance while maintaining self-esteem and the ability to think, to learn and to concentrate despite the presence of this disease. There was no statistically significant difference between groups or between domains in the same group.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2011;33(5):231-237
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032011000500005
PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between quality of life and spinal fracture in women aged over 60 living in Southern Brazil. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted with the application of the WHOQOL-bref questionnaire to 100 women living in the city of Chapecó (SC), aged over 60, postmenopausal, white or Caucasian, with no important cognitive impairment or a history of diseases known to affect bone metabolism, or malignant neoplasias. The population was divided into two groups depending on the presence or absence of fractures in the spine radiography. We analyzed variables related to the current and previous medical history, life habits and family history of fractures, and the domains and facets that compose the WHOQOL-bref. All participants were informed about the objectives and methodologies adopted and gave written informed consent to participate in the study. RESULTS: The mean age of the women in the fracture group was older than that of women with fractures (p<0.05). Also women with fractures tended to belong to a higher social class, to have more years of study, a higher family income, and a greater use of alcoholic drinks (p<0.05). In the evaluation of the WHOQOL-bref domains, the fracture group had the highest average in the psychological field (..=63.6± 3.0) and the lowest in the environment field (..=9.3±58.8). In the group without fracture, the highest average also occurred in the psychological domain (..=67.2± 9.3) and the lowest in the field of social relations (..=57.5±7.7). Statistical analysis showed no significant correlation between the averages of the facets that make up the areas between the groups with and without fractures. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that there is no impairment of quality of life among older women with vertebral fractures, but the relation between QL and time of occurrence and severity of the fractures should be better evaluated. Both groups had higher scores in the psychological domain, showing that the respondents rely on personal beliefs, spirituality and religion, accept their physical appearance while maintaining self-esteem and the ability to think, to learn and to concentrate despite the presence of this disease. There was no statistically significant difference between groups or between domains in the same group.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2011;33(4):182-187
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032011000400006
PURPOSE: to translate into Portuguese, culturally adapt and validate the Incontinence Severity Index (ISI) questionnaire. METHODS: two Brazilian translators carried out the translation of the ISI into Portuguese and a version was generated by consensus. This version was back-translated by two other native English speaking translators. The differences between versions were resolved and the version was pre-tested in a pilot study. One week later, the ISI was reapplied to complete the retest. The final version of the ISI was applied together with the one-hour pad test to women with stress urinary incontinence. For the validation of the ISI, the reliability (internal consistency and test-retest) and the construct were evaluated. RESULTS: the reliability of the instrument was tested using the Cronbach α coefficient, with a general result of 0.93, demonstrating excellent reliability and consistency of the instrument. The intraclass correlation coefficient and the standard errors of measurement were 0.96 and 0.43, respectively. The Pearson correlation revealed a strong positive correlation (r=0.72, p<0.0001) between the results of the ISI questionnaire and the one-hour pad test. CONCLUSION: the culturally adapted version of the ISI translated into Brazilian Portuguese presented satisfactory reliability and survey validity and was considered to be valid for the evaluation of the severity of urinary incontinence.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2011;33(4):182-187
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032011000400006
PURPOSE: to translate into Portuguese, culturally adapt and validate the Incontinence Severity Index (ISI) questionnaire. METHODS: two Brazilian translators carried out the translation of the ISI into Portuguese and a version was generated by consensus. This version was back-translated by two other native English speaking translators. The differences between versions were resolved and the version was pre-tested in a pilot study. One week later, the ISI was reapplied to complete the retest. The final version of the ISI was applied together with the one-hour pad test to women with stress urinary incontinence. For the validation of the ISI, the reliability (internal consistency and test-retest) and the construct were evaluated. RESULTS: the reliability of the instrument was tested using the Cronbach α coefficient, with a general result of 0.93, demonstrating excellent reliability and consistency of the instrument. The intraclass correlation coefficient and the standard errors of measurement were 0.96 and 0.43, respectively. The Pearson correlation revealed a strong positive correlation (r=0.72, p<0.0001) between the results of the ISI questionnaire and the one-hour pad test. CONCLUSION: the culturally adapted version of the ISI translated into Brazilian Portuguese presented satisfactory reliability and survey validity and was considered to be valid for the evaluation of the severity of urinary incontinence.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2010;32(12):602-608
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032010001200007
PURPOSE: to prospectively evaluate the effects of immediate breast reconstruction on the quality of life of women who underwent mastectomy. METHODS: 76 women that underwent mastectomy at Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher da Universidade Estadual de Campinas, in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, from August 2007 to December 2008, were included. Two groups were formed: 41 women who underwent mastectomy combined with immediate breast reconstruction (M+RI) and 35 that were subjected to mastectomy alone (M). The quality of life evaluation was assessed with the World Health Organization's questionnaire - Quality of Life (WHOQOL-100). The questionnaire was administered on three occasions: at the time of admission, one month after surgery, and again six months after surgery. The WHOQOL-100 scores were calculated according to analysis' guidelines by the World Health Organization. For comparison of the scores between groups, it was used the Student's t-test, Fisher exact test, chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney test. For the analysis of repeated measures over time, ANOVA and ANOVA for repeated measures were used. RESULTS: at all time points evaluated, beginning with the preoperative assessment, the average quality of life scores of the M+IR Group were higher than those of the M Group, primarily in the "physical", "psychological", "level of independence" and "social relationships" domains of the questionnaire. Of the six areas covered by the questionnaire, three ("physical", "social relations", "environment") showed no significant differences between groups. The M+IR Group had a better score (15.5 to 14.9 for the M+IR and 14.3 to 14.2 for M; p=0.04) in the psychological domain. There was a significant reduction in the level of independence in the first month after surgery in both groups, with a significant recovery after six months. CONCLUSIONS: the present results suggest that immediate breast reconstruction is significantly beneficial regarding the psychological aspects of quality of life, without affecting the patient's physical functionality.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2010;32(12):602-608
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032010001200007
PURPOSE: to prospectively evaluate the effects of immediate breast reconstruction on the quality of life of women who underwent mastectomy. METHODS: 76 women that underwent mastectomy at Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher da Universidade Estadual de Campinas, in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, from August 2007 to December 2008, were included. Two groups were formed: 41 women who underwent mastectomy combined with immediate breast reconstruction (M+RI) and 35 that were subjected to mastectomy alone (M). The quality of life evaluation was assessed with the World Health Organization's questionnaire - Quality of Life (WHOQOL-100). The questionnaire was administered on three occasions: at the time of admission, one month after surgery, and again six months after surgery. The WHOQOL-100 scores were calculated according to analysis' guidelines by the World Health Organization. For comparison of the scores between groups, it was used the Student's t-test, Fisher exact test, chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney test. For the analysis of repeated measures over time, ANOVA and ANOVA for repeated measures were used. RESULTS: at all time points evaluated, beginning with the preoperative assessment, the average quality of life scores of the M+IR Group were higher than those of the M Group, primarily in the "physical", "psychological", "level of independence" and "social relationships" domains of the questionnaire. Of the six areas covered by the questionnaire, three ("physical", "social relations", "environment") showed no significant differences between groups. The M+IR Group had a better score (15.5 to 14.9 for the M+IR and 14.3 to 14.2 for M; p=0.04) in the psychological domain. There was a significant reduction in the level of independence in the first month after surgery in both groups, with a significant recovery after six months. CONCLUSIONS: the present results suggest that immediate breast reconstruction is significantly beneficial regarding the psychological aspects of quality of life, without affecting the patient's physical functionality.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2010;32(9):433-440
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032010000900004
PURPOSE: to evaluate the level of physical activity, quality of life and associated factors in women aged 60 or older. METHODS: a cross-sectional study was conducted on 271 women who go to a Leisure Center and women attended at a menopause ambulatory in Campinas (SP). The women were invited to take part in the research, carried out through interviews. The instruments used were the version 8 of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) modified for the elderly population in order to evaluate their physical activity, and the World Health Organization Questionnaire of Quality of Life specific for this group (WHOQOL-OLD) to evaluate their quality of life. IPAQ results were assessed using tertiles. The association between the WHOQOL-OLD and the IPAQ results and subject characteristics was assessed by the Student's t test, Mann-Whitney test and multiple analyses. RESULTS: the average age of women was 67.4±5.3 years. Among these women, 33% were classified as being less active. Analysis of each physical activity domain showed that 60.8% of the time was spent in sitting activities (1,701.6±986.1 minutes/week). Multiple analyses indicated that attending a leisure center in Campinas (SP) and being 70 years old or older increased the chances of engaging in moderate-intensity or vigorous-intensity physical activity by 11.4 and 2.8 times, respectively. The average quality of life score was 66.9±11.7. The highest value was observed in the domain related to sensory abilities (72.0±18.8) and the lowest value was related to autonomy (60.3±16.2). Linear regression showed that a good self-perception of health increased the quality of life score by 7.3 points, the use of a bigger amount of medication decreased it by 4.4 points and the performance of moderate or vigorous physical exercise increased the score by 4.8 points. CONCLUSION: women spend prolonged periods of time in sitting activities. The importance of engaging in moderate/vigorous-intensity physical activity is evident for obtaining a good quality of life.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2010;32(9):433-440
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032010000900004
PURPOSE: to evaluate the level of physical activity, quality of life and associated factors in women aged 60 or older. METHODS: a cross-sectional study was conducted on 271 women who go to a Leisure Center and women attended at a menopause ambulatory in Campinas (SP). The women were invited to take part in the research, carried out through interviews. The instruments used were the version 8 of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) modified for the elderly population in order to evaluate their physical activity, and the World Health Organization Questionnaire of Quality of Life specific for this group (WHOQOL-OLD) to evaluate their quality of life. IPAQ results were assessed using tertiles. The association between the WHOQOL-OLD and the IPAQ results and subject characteristics was assessed by the Student's t test, Mann-Whitney test and multiple analyses. RESULTS: the average age of women was 67.4±5.3 years. Among these women, 33% were classified as being less active. Analysis of each physical activity domain showed that 60.8% of the time was spent in sitting activities (1,701.6±986.1 minutes/week). Multiple analyses indicated that attending a leisure center in Campinas (SP) and being 70 years old or older increased the chances of engaging in moderate-intensity or vigorous-intensity physical activity by 11.4 and 2.8 times, respectively. The average quality of life score was 66.9±11.7. The highest value was observed in the domain related to sensory abilities (72.0±18.8) and the lowest value was related to autonomy (60.3±16.2). Linear regression showed that a good self-perception of health increased the quality of life score by 7.3 points, the use of a bigger amount of medication decreased it by 4.4 points and the performance of moderate or vigorous physical exercise increased the score by 4.8 points. CONCLUSION: women spend prolonged periods of time in sitting activities. The importance of engaging in moderate/vigorous-intensity physical activity is evident for obtaining a good quality of life.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2010;32(9):454-458
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032010000900007
PURPOSE: to evaluate and compare the effects of body mass index (BMI) on the severity of female urinary incontinence (UI) using the quality of life questionnaire King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ), variables of urodynamic studies and the medical history taken. METHODS: cross-sectional clinical study. We selected 65 patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) who were divided into three groups: Group I (BMI: 18-25 kg/m²), Group II (BMI: 25-30 kg/m²) and Group III (BMI>30 kg/m²). The KHQ domains were compared between these groups. In addition, some clinical history urodynamic data (presence of nocturia, enuresis, urgency and urge incontinence) were also related to BMI by calculating the Odds Ratio (OR). The BMI in the presence and absence of non-inhibited detrusor contractions and Valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) <60 or > 60 cmH2O were evaluated. Finally, the correlation between BMI and the nine KHQ domains has been tested in order to detect some association. RESULTS: the KHQ did not record deterioration of quality of life in women with UI with increasing BMI in any of its areas. The OR for the presence of enuresis in relation to a BMI was 1.003 [CI: 0.897-1.121], p=0.962. The OR for nocturia was 1.049 [CI: 0.933-1.18], p=.425. The OR for urgency was 0.975 [CI: 0.826-1.151], p=0.762, and the OR for incontinence was 0.978 [CI: 0.85-1.126], p=0.76. We studied the BMI in patients with and without non-inhibited detrusor contractions and detected medians of 26.4±4.8 and 28.3±5.7 kg/m², respectively (p=0.6). Similarly, the median BMI values for the groups with VLPP <60 and >60 cmH2O were 29.6±4.1 and 27.7±5.7 kg/m², respectively (p=0.2). Finally, we failed to demonstrate an association between BMI and any of the nine KHQ domains by means of the Spearman correlation. CONCLUSION: there was no association of KHQ scores with BMI. There was also no correlation between the parameters of clinical history and of the urodynamic study with BMI.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2010;32(9):454-458
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032010000900007
PURPOSE: to evaluate and compare the effects of body mass index (BMI) on the severity of female urinary incontinence (UI) using the quality of life questionnaire King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ), variables of urodynamic studies and the medical history taken. METHODS: cross-sectional clinical study. We selected 65 patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) who were divided into three groups: Group I (BMI: 18-25 kg/m²), Group II (BMI: 25-30 kg/m²) and Group III (BMI>30 kg/m²). The KHQ domains were compared between these groups. In addition, some clinical history urodynamic data (presence of nocturia, enuresis, urgency and urge incontinence) were also related to BMI by calculating the Odds Ratio (OR). The BMI in the presence and absence of non-inhibited detrusor contractions and Valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) <60 or > 60 cmH2O were evaluated. Finally, the correlation between BMI and the nine KHQ domains has been tested in order to detect some association. RESULTS: the KHQ did not record deterioration of quality of life in women with UI with increasing BMI in any of its areas. The OR for the presence of enuresis in relation to a BMI was 1.003 [CI: 0.897-1.121], p=0.962. The OR for nocturia was 1.049 [CI: 0.933-1.18], p=.425. The OR for urgency was 0.975 [CI: 0.826-1.151], p=0.762, and the OR for incontinence was 0.978 [CI: 0.85-1.126], p=0.76. We studied the BMI in patients with and without non-inhibited detrusor contractions and detected medians of 26.4±4.8 and 28.3±5.7 kg/m², respectively (p=0.6). Similarly, the median BMI values for the groups with VLPP <60 and >60 cmH2O were 29.6±4.1 and 27.7±5.7 kg/m², respectively (p=0.2). Finally, we failed to demonstrate an association between BMI and any of the nine KHQ domains by means of the Spearman correlation. CONCLUSION: there was no association of KHQ scores with BMI. There was also no correlation between the parameters of clinical history and of the urodynamic study with BMI.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2010;32(5):247-253
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032010000500008
PURPOSE: to compare the quality of life (QL) of women with and without chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and to investigate the factors associated with QL in women with CPP. METHODS: a cross-sectional study was conducted on 30 women with CPP and 20 women without CPP. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were evaluated. QL was investigated by applying the SF-36 questionnaire, which contains eight domains: functional capacity, physical aspects, pain, general health status, vitality, social aspects, emotional aspects, and mental health. These domains can be summarized into two groups: physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS). Pain intensity was investigated by applying the visual analogue scale. Linear regression analysis was used to compare QL scores between women with and without CPP and to identify factors associated with the QL of women with CPP. RESULTS: the mean age of women with and without CPP was 35.2±7.5 and 36±9.3 years (p=0.77), respectively. Women with CPP had a lower monthly family income (p=0.04) and a higher prevalence of dysmenorrhea (87 versus 40%; p<0.01) and depression (30 versus 5%; p=0.04) compared to women without CPP. Adjusted analysis for potential confounding variables revealed that women with CPP had lower QL scores in the pain (p<0.01) and social aspects (p<0.01) domains. Depression was negatively associated with the emotional aspects domain (p=0.05) and with the MCS (p=0.03), while pain intensity was negatively related to the pain domain (p<0.01) of the QL of women with CPP. CONCLUSIONS: women with CPP presented a worse QL compared to women without CPP. Depression and pain intensity were negatively related to the QL of women with CPP. Thus, the evaluation and treatment of pain and depressive symptoms must be among the priorities that aim to improve the QL of women with CPP.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2010;32(5):247-253
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032010000500008
PURPOSE: to compare the quality of life (QL) of women with and without chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and to investigate the factors associated with QL in women with CPP. METHODS: a cross-sectional study was conducted on 30 women with CPP and 20 women without CPP. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were evaluated. QL was investigated by applying the SF-36 questionnaire, which contains eight domains: functional capacity, physical aspects, pain, general health status, vitality, social aspects, emotional aspects, and mental health. These domains can be summarized into two groups: physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS). Pain intensity was investigated by applying the visual analogue scale. Linear regression analysis was used to compare QL scores between women with and without CPP and to identify factors associated with the QL of women with CPP. RESULTS: the mean age of women with and without CPP was 35.2±7.5 and 36±9.3 years (p=0.77), respectively. Women with CPP had a lower monthly family income (p=0.04) and a higher prevalence of dysmenorrhea (87 versus 40%; p<0.01) and depression (30 versus 5%; p=0.04) compared to women without CPP. Adjusted analysis for potential confounding variables revealed that women with CPP had lower QL scores in the pain (p<0.01) and social aspects (p<0.01) domains. Depression was negatively associated with the emotional aspects domain (p=0.05) and with the MCS (p=0.03), while pain intensity was negatively related to the pain domain (p<0.01) of the QL of women with CPP. CONCLUSIONS: women with CPP presented a worse QL compared to women without CPP. Depression and pain intensity were negatively related to the QL of women with CPP. Thus, the evaluation and treatment of pain and depressive symptoms must be among the priorities that aim to improve the QL of women with CPP.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2010;32(5):234-240
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032010000500006
PURPOSE: to evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on female sexual dysfunctions. METHODS: twenty-six women with a diagnosis of sexual dysfunction (sexual desire, arousal, orgasmic disorders and/or dyspareunia) were included in a clinical trial with a before/after approach . The assessment was carried out before, during (after five sessions) and at the end of the treatment (after ten sessions) by two-digit palpation (assessment of pelvic floor muscle, PFM, strength), intravaginal electromyography (EMG) (capture of PFM contraction amplitudes) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI, a questionnaire for the evaluation of sexual function). The women underwent PFMT in different positions for ten sessions (once or twice a week). For statistical analysis, absolute and relative frequencies were used for clinical characteristics and PFM strength. The Friedman test was used to compare the FSFI domain scores and EMG values, the Students t-test was used to determine the association between these values and the characteristics of the women, and the Wilcoxon test for percent modification of the EMG. The Mann-Whitney test permitted us to compare these values with clinical characteristics. The Spearman correlation test was used to correlate the EMG values with mean total score. Results were considered statistically significant if p<0.05. RESULTS: a significant improvement (p<0.0001) of FSFI scores was observed at the end of treatment compared to the values observed before and in the middle of treatment. Regarding the EMG, the amplitudes of tonic and phasic contractions increased significantly during treatment (p<0.0001). Pelvic floor strength increased, which 69% of the women presenting grade 4 or 5 at the end of treatment, with a total improvement of sexual complaints. CONCLUSIONS: the PFMT improved muscle strength and electromyography contraction amplitudes, with improved sexual function, indicating that this physiotherapy approach may be successfully used for the treatment of female sexual dysfunctions.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2010;32(5):234-240
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032010000500006
PURPOSE: to evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on female sexual dysfunctions. METHODS: twenty-six women with a diagnosis of sexual dysfunction (sexual desire, arousal, orgasmic disorders and/or dyspareunia) were included in a clinical trial with a before/after approach . The assessment was carried out before, during (after five sessions) and at the end of the treatment (after ten sessions) by two-digit palpation (assessment of pelvic floor muscle, PFM, strength), intravaginal electromyography (EMG) (capture of PFM contraction amplitudes) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI, a questionnaire for the evaluation of sexual function). The women underwent PFMT in different positions for ten sessions (once or twice a week). For statistical analysis, absolute and relative frequencies were used for clinical characteristics and PFM strength. The Friedman test was used to compare the FSFI domain scores and EMG values, the Students t-test was used to determine the association between these values and the characteristics of the women, and the Wilcoxon test for percent modification of the EMG. The Mann-Whitney test permitted us to compare these values with clinical characteristics. The Spearman correlation test was used to correlate the EMG values with mean total score. Results were considered statistically significant if p<0.05. RESULTS: a significant improvement (p<0.0001) of FSFI scores was observed at the end of treatment compared to the values observed before and in the middle of treatment. Regarding the EMG, the amplitudes of tonic and phasic contractions increased significantly during treatment (p<0.0001). Pelvic floor strength increased, which 69% of the women presenting grade 4 or 5 at the end of treatment, with a total improvement of sexual complaints. CONCLUSIONS: the PFMT improved muscle strength and electromyography contraction amplitudes, with improved sexual function, indicating that this physiotherapy approach may be successfully used for the treatment of female sexual dysfunctions.
