The PelvicToner Program: A New Resistance Exercise Program for Strengthening Pelvic Muscle Tone, Bladder Function and Sexual Response
M Swor MD, G Bowen-Swor MD, S Harvey MD, K Bourdeaux RN, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Florida
Background:
Inadequate pelvic support contributes to incontinence, bladder and sexual dysfunction affecting millions of women worldwide. Reduced vaginal tone and pelvic voluntary contraction ability are commonly noted with aging, especially after pregnancy and childbirth. A resistance exercise program was designed with a new patented device, the PelvicToner, in an attempt to achieve functional improvement in a group of female volunteers in a gynecology practice.
Instrument and Method:
20 female patients with incontinence, bladder dysfunction and/or sexual dysfunction related to pelvic floor relaxation participated in a 16 week trial. The pelvic exercise program was taught and a new resistance exercise device provided at the beginning of the study. Surveys were completed initially and at 8 weeks and study completion at 16 weeks. Pelvic tone pressure measurements at rest and during voluntary contraction effort were taken initially, and at 3, 8 and 16 weeks. 15 subjects completed the full course, and the data compiled.
Results:
Subjective improvement was noted by 73% of study subjects. In the entire group overall mean resting pelvic muscle tone improved by 9.6%, while mean Kegel strength increased by 28%. In the 7 of 15 subjects with improved resting tone, the mean increase was 38%. Thirteen of fifteen subjects (87%) had improved Kegel strength. Average pelvic tone measurements were increased at 3 weeks and continued to increase at 8 and 16 weeks. Subjective data collected by surveys revealed overall improvement in sexual satisfaction, bladder function and satisfaction with the program and use of the device. Thirteen (87%) of the participants indicated that they would continue the program and using the device on an ongoing basis.
Conclusion:
The use of a new resistance exercise program and PelvicToner device may increase resting and contraction strength of the pelvic floor in female patients. The program may also provide subjective improvement in incontinence and overall bladder and sexual function. The described program is an acceptable regimen for the majority of women and is a low cost, minimally-invasive alternative that may be employed prior to more aggressive approaches.
01/09/03
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