The Paula method and the pelvic floor: reply by the authors 2

Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Obstet, BR-04024002 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Gynecol, BR-04024002 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Obstet, BR-04024002 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Gynecol, BR-04024002 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Effects of the Paula method in electromyographic activation of the pelvic floor: a comparative study

To determine if Paula method of circular muscles contraction e.g., those surrounding the eyes, mouth and fingers, could increase pelvic floor muscle (PFM) activity.Thirty-four healthy, nulliparous volunteers were included, with an average age of 28 (+/- 5.9) years and body mass index of 23.8 (+/- 3.3) kg/m(2). They were assigned to randomly perform the sequence: a PFM maximal voluntary contraction, a contraction of circular muscles, followed by a simultaneous combination of PFM and circular muscle contraction. the PFM were evaluated using surface electromyography.PFM activity at baseline was 22.6 (+/- 10.9) mu v. It was unchanged with Paula method contraction (p = 0.322). There were also no differences between values of PFM maximal voluntary contraction alone, 99.8 (+/- 44.3) mu v and in combination with the Paula method, 91.8 (+/- 35.3) mu v (p = 0.093).The Paula method seems not to increase PFM activity in nulliparous women.Mahle FoundationUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Obstet, BR-04024002 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Gynecol, BR-04024002 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Obstet, BR-04024002 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Gynecol, BR-04024002 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc