Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Summer 7-26-2023
Abstract
Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) in preventing pelvic floor disorders (PFD) in postpartum women.
Methods: A computerized search from Valparaiso University’s online library provided data from PubMed, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar were used to conduct this research. Filters were applied limiting articles from 2017 until present day and key words used to gather resources used for this research included “pelvic floor physical therapy,” “pelvic floor disorder” OR “pelvic floor disease,” AND “postpartum women.” A total of 13 articles were reviewed, this included 5 randomized control trials, 4 meta-analyses, and 5 evidenced based medicine reviews.
Results: Postpartum PFPT compared to unsupervised therapies or no therapy at all improves vaginal delivery outcomes on the pelvic floor including urinary incontinence (UI), anal incontinence (UI), pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and sexual function.
Conclusions: Currently there is some data that support the clinical benefits of PFPT on postpartum women in the prevention of PFD potential need for treatments later in life. There is room for more research regarding timing of PFPT in antenatal periods, prenatal periods, and for nulliparous women.
Keywords: pelvic floor physical therapy, pelvic floor disorder, pelvic floor disease, postpartum women
Recommended Citation
Pryor, Tricia, "Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: Prevention of Pelvic Floor Disorder in Postpartum Women" (2023). Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium. 169.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/sires/169
Biographical Information about Author(s)
Tricia Pryor has a special interest in OBGYN and plans on working in OBGYN following graduation. She is a student member of professional organizations such as Indiana Academy of Physician Assistants (IAPA) and the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), as well as the Valparaiso University Physician Assistant Student Society (VUPASS).She will be presenting on “ Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: Prevention of Pelvic Floor Disorder in Postpartum Women” because of her special interest in obstetrics and gynecology and improving women's health.