Effect of global postural correction exercises on stress urinary incontinence during pregnancy: A randomized controlled trial

Background: One of the many consequences of pregnancy that may negatively affect a woman’s quality of life is stress urinary incontinence caused by activities of daily living especially those associated with increased intraabdominal pressure. Objective: This research aimed to explore the impact of global postural correction exercises on stress urinary incontinence among pregnant women. Participants and Methodology: Forty primigravida female at their third trimester (aged between 26–36 years), with a single fetus, diagnosed with stress urinary incontinence take part in the research. Participants were assigned randomly into two groups: Study group (group A; n = 20) and control group (group B; n = 20). The participants were tested twice, before and after a 12-week period, during which group A received global postural correction exercises in addition to Kegel exercises, while group B performed only Kegel exercises. A perineometer was used to evaluate the change in vaginal squeeze pressure both before and after conducting the study. UDI-6 was utilized to assess changes in incontinence severity symptoms. Results: Findings revealed a significant increase in the mean value of vaginal squeeze pressure (p < .05) in the post-test condition in comparison to the pre-test in both groups A and B. Additionally, there was a main decrease (p < .05) in the mean value of UDI-6 in both groups. Moreover, findings showed a significant negative (inverse) correlation (p < .05) between the difference in vaginal squeeze pressure and the UDI-6 in all patients. Conclusions: Postural correction exercises in addition to Kegel exercises are effective in reducing urine leakage in women with stress urinary incontinence and should be an integral part of the management of such condition

Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation versus Acupressure on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting after Abdominal Hysterectomy

Aims: To compare between the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation versus Acupressure on post-operative nausea and vomiting in women scheduled for abdominal hysterectomy. Place and Duration of Study: Department of obstetrics and gynecology, Kasr El-Aini University Hospital, and outpatient clinic of faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, between July 2012 and January 2013. Methodology: We included 150 patients (age ranged 45-65 years) with post-operative nausea and vomiting after abdominal hysterectomy, their body mass index was less than 30 kg/m2 without medical history of gastrointestinal diseases. Patients were equally divided into three groups. Group (A), received trancutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS10Hz was applied on the P6 point of the dominant hand 30min before induction of anesthesia and continued for 8 h postoperatively) in addition to post operative anti-emetic drug. In group (B), acupressure (elastic wrist bands with a sphere to apply pressure on P6 point) was performed exactly in the same way as in group (A) in addition to post operative anti-emetic drug. Patients of group (C) received post operative anti-emetic drug only. Post-operative metoclopramid 10mg/iv was administrated for all patients in groups (A, B & C) as antiemetic. Assessment of all patients in all groups (A, B&C;) was carried out after 4h and 8h of the treatment through Mc Gill assessment for postoperative nausea and vomiting. Results: Showed a statistically more significant decrease (P<.0001) in nausea and vomiting scales for group A than both groups B&C; after 4 and 8 hours. Conclusion: Trancutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation of P6 point appears to be more effective than acupressure in alleviating post-operative nausea and vomiting after abdominal hysterectomy

DO FOOT REFLEXOLOGY AND RELAXATION TRAINING DECREASE PREMENSTRUAL SYMPTOMS IN ADOLESCENT FEMALES

Background: Premenstrual syndrome is a current condition characterized by troublesome symptoms as tension, irritability, depression, headache, anxiety and loss of self-control, so the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of foot reflexology augmented with relaxation training on premenstrual syndrome in adolescent females. Methods: A sample of 50 volunteers, virgin females diagnosed as premenstrual syndrome was selected from the students of Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University. Their age was ranged between 19 to 23 years with mean value of (21.53±2.27 yrs) and BMI was ≤28 Kg/m² with mean value of (24.04±2.41 Kg/m²).A detailed medical history was obtained to screen other pathological conditions that may affect the results. Females were randomly assigned into two equal groups. Group (A) consisted of 25 subjects who received foot reflexology in addition to relaxation training techniques twice a week for 8 weeks. Group (B) consisted of 25 patients, who received relaxation training techniques only twice a week for 8 weeks. Assessment of all subjects in both groups was carried out before and after the treatment program through heart rate, respiratory rate in addition to plasma cortisol level and daily symptoms report chart. Results: Showed a statistical highly significant decrease (p<0.001) in heart rate, respiratory rate, plasma cortisol level as well as daily symptoms report score in group (A) while there was a statistical significant decrease (p<0.05) in all variables in group (B). Conclusions: Adding foot reflexology to relaxation training had a great positive effect on premenstrual syndrome in adolescent females than relaxation training only