Comparison of Outpatient Rehabilitation Versus Self-training for the Treatment and Prevention of Postpartum Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Objectives of the Biomedical Research:

• To evaluate gynaecological examination data at 6-8 weeks postpartum, with additional assessment of: experienced pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) symptoms and their impact on quality of life, pelvic organ positioning (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system - POP-Q), pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength, fecal incontinence, diastasis recti abdominis (DRA), and pelvic/perineal ultrasound findings.
• To evaluate patient examination data conducted by a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician and a physiotherapist at 6-10 weeks postpartum.
• To assess changes in pelvic floor muscle activity, PFD symptoms, pelvic organ position, following the training procedures and at 6 and 12 months post-intervention.
• To compare changes among two groups:

Supervised training (specialist-led);

Self-training at home (based on specialist recommendations);

• To compare gynecological examination data, Oxford Scale scores, and St. Mark's scores among the study groups.
• To compare changes in women's quality of life, sexual function, and clinical outcomes between the study groups based on validated questionnaires.
• To develop recommendations for specialists and the public regarding the prevention of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction based on the study findings.

Comprehensive Description of Evaluated Outcomes Primary and Secondary Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints: Changes indicating the effect of applied rehabilitation measures on the reduction and prevention of pelvic dysfunction symptoms:

Change in PFM contraction force and strength according to the Modified Oxford Scale.

Change in POP-Q scores.

St. Mark's Score for fecal incontinence: evaluating the change in score over the course of the study.

Pelvic and perineal ultrasound data: assessing symmetrical PFM contraction, changes in vaginal hiatus width, and urethral mobility. Comparison of results between study groups.

Persistence of PFD symptoms as reported by patients.

Changes in Quality of Life (QoL) and clinical outcome questionnaires: * ICIQ-UI SF (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form); P-QoL (Prolapse Quality-of-Life Questionnaire); PISQ-IR (Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire IUGA revised); FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index); MOS-SF36 (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36).

Changes in musculoskeletal functions: * Objective assessment of PFM state via contraction force and Pressure Biofeedback activity evaluation.

Assessment of diastasis recti abdominis using palpation and ultrasound.

Pain assessment (abdominal, perineal, pelvic, pubic symphysis, and lumbosacral) using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Evaluation of gait, balance, and coordination.

Core stability and transversus abdominis activity (using a stabilizer); static endurance tests for abdominal and back muscles.

Secondary Endpoints: Factors potentially influencing the effectiveness of the rehabilitation program:

Demographics and History: Mean age, BMI, parity (number of pregnancies/deliveries), neonatal weight, and head circumference.

Obstetric Factors: Mode of delivery, delivery-related factors (induction, gestational age, fetal presentation, delivery method: natural, ventouse, c-section).

Pathologies: Pregnancy-related diseases (nausea/vomiting, intrahepatic cholestasis, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes), infectious/inflammatory diseases during pregnancy.

Inclusion criteria

• 18 years or older
• This pregnancy was singleton
• No contraindications for physical activity
• No connective tissue disorders (for example Ehlers-Danlos syndrome)
• No neurological disorders to influence pelvic floor symptoms (for example clinically significant spinal disc herniation)

Exclusion criteria

• Younger than 18 years
• Twins or triplet pregnancy
• Contraindications for physical activity
• Connective tissue disorders
• Neurological disorders