title: Pelvic floor muscle training for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse: an assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This pilot study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-seven women with stage II prolapse were randomized to either the intervention group (n = 21) or the control group (n = 16). The evaluation included assessments of pelvic floor muscle function and surface electromyography at baseline and post 14 weeks of treatment. The severity of prolapse was quantified by the POP-Q method and symptoms by P-QoL questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intervention group showed significantly greater anatomic improvements in the anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapses than did the control group (P < 0.001 and 0.025, respectively) and a decrease of symptoms. In addition, the intervention group had greater improvements in muscle strength (P < 0.001), endurance (P < 0.001), and electromyography parameters (P = 0.008) compared to the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PFMT is effective in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Borges Lagoa 783, conjunto 31, 3° andar, CEP 04038-031, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. liliana.unifesp@gmail.com
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stüpp
authors.forename: Ana Paula Magalhães
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Resende
authors.forename: Emerson
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Rodrigo Aquino
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.forename: Manoel João Batista Castello
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Girão
authors.forename: Marair Gracio Ferreira
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Sartori
mesh_terms: D004576:Electromyography; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000502:physiology*; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome