Combined electrical muscle stimulation and proprioceptive training for pelvic floor dysfunction: a retrospective cohort study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) commonly affects postpartum women, yet surgical interventions carry invasiveness and recurrence risks. This retrospective study aims to investigate the effects of pelvic floor electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) combined with proprioceptive training (PT) on pelvic floor function and structural integrity in women with PFD. METHODS: A total of 320 women with PFD treated at Ningde Municipal Hospital from October 2022 to December 2024 were stratified into control group, EMS group, PT group and combined group, with 80 patients in each group. All patients received routine pelvic floor functional training; the EMS group additionally received pelvic floor EMS, the PT group received PT and the combined group received pelvic floor EMS following PT. Pelvic floor resting/tonic contraction electromyography (EMG) value, muscle fibre strength, pelvic floor distress inventory-short form 20 (PFDI-20) scores, and pelvic floor ultrasound parameters were assessed before and after treatment. RESULTS: > 0.05), confirming treatment-specific efficacy of the combined approach. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic floor EMS combined with PT effectively promotes recovery of pelvic floor function and structural integrity in women with PFD. This combined therapy warrants clinical application and dissemination.
Authors: Juan Li, Huihua Chen, Chen Gao, Lei Yang, Surui Lin
Institution: Ningde Normal University
Language: English
Subfield: Rheumatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,390
OpenAlex ID: W7117165947