Postpartum pelvic floor muscle dysfunction is a common condition affecting many women after childbirth. Weakness or impairment of the pelvic floor muscles can lead to symptoms such as urinary incontinence, pelvic discomfort, and reduced quality of life. Rehabilitation exercises targeting pelvic floor muscles are widely used to restore muscle strength and improve functional outcomes.
The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of a structured Rehabilitation Exercise Protocol (5R) with Swiss ball training in improving pelvic floor muscle function among postpartum women diagnosed with pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. The 5R protocol focuses on progressive rehabilitation strategies including relaxation, recruitment, resistance, repetition, and recovery of pelvic floor muscles. Swiss ball training involves exercises performed on a stability ball that aim to enhance core stability, pelvic control, and muscular coordination.
Eligible postpartum women with pelvic floor muscle dysfunction will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive the structured 5R rehabilitation exercise protocol, while the other group will participate in Swiss ball training exercises. Both interventions will be performed for a specified duration under the supervision of trained physiotherapists.
Outcome measures will assess pelvic floor muscle strength, functional improvement, and symptom severity before and after the intervention period. The findings of this study may help determine the most effective rehabilitation strategy for improving pelvic floor muscle function and promoting recovery in postpartum women.
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Rehabilitation Exercise Protocol (5R)
BehavioralThe Rehabilitation Exercise Protocol (5R) is a structured physiotherapy-based program designed to improve pelvic floor muscle strength and function in postpartum women. The protocol consists of progressive rehabilitation phases including relaxation of pelvic floor muscles, recruitment and activation exercises, resistance-based strengthening, repeated contractions to improve endurance, and recovery strategies. Participants will perform supervised pelvic floor exercises guided by a physiotherapist according to a structured treatment schedule throughout the intervention period.
Swiss Ball Training
BehavioralSwiss ball training consists of a series of therapeutic exercises performed on a stability ball to improve pelvic floor muscle strength, core stability, and neuromuscular coordination in postpartum women. The exercises involve controlled pelvic tilts, bridging, seated balance exercises, and core activation movements that facilitate co-contraction of pelvic floor and abdominal muscles. The training program will be supervised by a physiotherapist and conducted according to the study protocol during the intervention period.
Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength
Pelvic floor muscle strength will be assessed using a standardized pelvic floor muscle assessment scale (such as the Modified Oxford Scale or perineometer measurement). The assessment will evaluate the strength and voluntary contraction of pelvic floor muscles in postpartum women with pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. Improvement in muscle strength will be compared between participants receiving the Rehabilitation Exercise Protocol (5R) and those undergoing Swiss ball training.
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Rafia Abrar
Lead sponsor
University of Lahore
Sponsor institution
