title: The effect of rehabilitation exercises combined with direct vagina low voltage low frequency electric stimulation on pelvic nerve electrophysiology and tissue function in primiparous women: A randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of rehabilitation exercises combined with Direct Vagina Low Voltage Low Frequency Electric Stimulation (DES) on pelvic nerve electrophysiology and tissue function after delivery.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Whether and how DES effects pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) are not known clearly.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a randomised, controlled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 189 primiparous women 20-35 years old and with an episiotomy or second degree episiotomy tear were divided into three groups: the control group (n = 60) received routine postpartum guidance 2 hr postpartum, the training group (n = 63) performed rehabilitation exercises (Kegel exercises and pelvic movements) from 2 days postpartum until 3 months postpartum, and the combination group (n = 66) received DES 15 times (3 times a week for 30 min at a time) beginning at the sixth week postpartum in addition to performing rehabilitation exercises. Adopt international standard scale and score method to inspect maternal life treatment, such as pelvic organ prolapse situation (POP-Q division), the degree of incontinence score and pelvic floor muscle intensity of muscular contraction. Data were collected during the third month after delivery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three months postpartum, there were differences among the three groups in the POP-Q grade, the degree of incontinence score, the Oxford grade for pelvic floor muscle strength and the pelvic floor muscle electrophysiology condition. Additionally, there were significant differences regarding the pubic symphysis clearance. Rehabilitation exercises can promote healing of the maternal pubic symphysis and recovery of the pelvis. The total electrical value, type I muscle fibre strength and type II muscle fibre strength were significantly increased in the combination group after treatment than before treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rehabilitation exercises combined with DES were beneficial to the recovery of postpartum pelvic nerve tissue function, and a synergistic effect was observed when the two methods were combined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These conclusions justify that rehabilitation exercise combined with DES can better relieve uncomfortable symptoms postpartum and improve the women's quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obsterics and Gynecology, Hebei General Hospitaly, Shijiazhuang, China.
authors.forename: Sumian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, Hebei General Hospitaly, Shijiazhuang, China.
authors.forename: Wenshu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sang
authors.affiliation: Department of Obsterics and Gynecology, Hebei General Hospitaly, Shijiazhuang, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Shijiazhuang Obsterics and Gynecological Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China.
authors.forename: Haifeng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Hebei General Hospitaly, Shijiazhuang, China.
authors.forename: Xian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Postpartum Rehabilitation, Shijiazhuang Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Postpartum Rehabilitation, Shijiazhuang Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China.
authors.forename: Hongfang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: Department of Obsterics and Gynecology, Hebei General Hospitaly, Shijiazhuang, China.
authors.forename: Zengjun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Department of Obsterics and Gynecology, Hebei General Hospitaly, Shijiazhuang, China.
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004841:Episiotomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000294:innervation; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000517:prevention & control; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011788:Quality of Life; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000517:prevention & control; D014621:Vagina; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: direct vagina low voltage low frequency electric stimulation; neurophysiology; pelvic floor dysfunction; rehabilitation exercises