Reformer Pilates Exerises in Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction

Bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD) describes the urinary tract symptoms associated with bowel complaints. BBD symptoms are thought to represent 40% of pediatric urology consultations. In children who do not have any neurological or physiological problems, micturition and defecation occur with the coordinated work of the involuntary bladder and bowel, voluntary contracting external urethral sphincter and external anorectal sphincter. For normal micturition and defecation, the pelvic floor muscles must be able to relax properly. This relaxation may not be achieved even in children with no neurological or physiological problems.

Urotherapy and pharmacological treatments are used in conservative BBD treatment. Urotherapy includes education of the child and family, diet (adequate fiber and fluid consumption), regular optimal voiding, daily physical activity, teaching normal toilet use, pelvic floor muscle training and relaxation. Pilates is an exercise method that includes a series of movements that both strengthen and increase flexibility of the entire body without focusing on a specific muscle. It includes exercises that can work the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs), while avoiding intense abdominal contractions, holding breath, or straining that can create increased pressure on the pelvic floor.

Reformer pilates is a specific type that provides resistance exercise at certain weights with the pulley system relying basically on the same principles. Pilates exercises provide breathing and activation of the deep stabilizing muscles of the trunk in coordination with the PFMs. It includes exercises that focus on pelvic stability, mobility and body alignment. PFMs activation is carried out simultaneously with the trunk muscles in various positions in coordination with breathing. Such exercises are known to have an important role related to continence, maintenance of intra-abdominal pressure and respiratory mechanics.

Despite the increasing number of health care professionals using the pilates-based approach in rehabilitation. The pilates-based exercises in rehabilitation is still insufficient in the literature. To our knowledge, none of studies which were investigated the usefulness of pilates-based exercise principle in children with BBD. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of reformer pilates exercises on bladder and bowel dysfunction symptoms and quality of life in children with bladder and bowel dysfunction.

Inclusion criteria

• Children between ages 5-18,
• Diagnosed with bladder and bowel dysfunction without any neurological abnormalities

Exclusion criteria

• Children with neuropathic or anatomical abnormalities in the urinary tract or gastrointestinal tract, inflammatory bowel disease or any other disorder affecting bladder or bowel function and who requested withdrawal from the study at any stage were excluded.