Pelvic floor muscle dysfunctions can lead to urinary incontinence, a condition which often affects women both during pregnancy and after childbirth. As a result of this, certain exercises are recommended during and after pregnancy to prevent and treat this incontinence, and the BeBo Concept is one of these methods used to prevent pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a 6-week course of physical therapy according to the BeBo Concept on the improvement of perineal muscle strength and endurance as well as urinary continence in women after their first vaginal delivery. The study was conducted on a group of 56 women who were randomly assigned to the exercise (n = 30) or control (n = 26) group. The exercising group participated in a 6-week physical therapy program according to the BeBo Concept. Pelvic floor muscles were assessed using the perineometer and palpation Perfect Test. UDI6 and ICIQ-SF questionnaires were used to obtain information about the symptoms of urinary incontinence, evaluate the frequency, severity and impact of urine leakage on the quality of life. In all women after natural childbirth, regardless of treatment, it was observed that measured parameters improved, but the improvement was slightly more explicit in those who participated in the Bebo Concept exercise group (e.g. ICIQ-SF exercise group p = 0.001, control group p = 0.035). Due to its positive impact on the pelvic floor, this exercise program should be recommended to women after natural childbirth.
Scientific reports. 2021 Sep 10*** epublish ***
Aneta Śnieżek, Dorota Czechowska, Marta Curyło, Jacek Głodzik, Paweł Szymanowski, Anna Rojek, Anna Marchewka
Department of Clinical Rehabilitation, University of Physical Education in Krakow, Krakow, Poland. ., Department of Clinical Rehabilitation, University of Physical Education in Krakow, Krakow, Poland., Department of Physical Medicine and Biological Recovery, University of Physical Education in Krakow, Krakow, Poland., Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University, Krakow, Poland., Gabinet Fizjoterapii ReSport, Tarnów, Poland.