• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 1999

The pelvic floor is a muscular structure, pierced by urologic, genital, and distal intestinal tract. Also pelvic floor is not a frozen but a functional unit. The pelvic floor dysfunction has 1) laxity of soft tissue and muscle 2)rupture of pelvic floor, 3)increased the tension. The purpose of this study is to give information about the pelvic floor dysfunction and pelvic exercise. This investigate the pelvic floor structure and function, pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic floor exercise, and recent research trends. The pelvic floor exercise is one of important exercise in physical therapy, this exercise program will be improved patients with pelvic floor dysfunction.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.1374-1380
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• 2006

Purpose. This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle exercise using biofeedback and electrical stimulation after normal delivery. Methods. The subjects of this study were 49 (experimental group: 25, control group: 24) postpartum women who passed 6 weeks after normal delivery without complication of pregnancy, delivery and postpartum. The experimental group was applied to the pelvic muscle enforcement program by biofeedback and electrical stimulation for 30 minutes per session, twice a week for 6 weeks, after then self-exercise of pelvic floor muscle was done 50-60 repetition per session, 3 times a day for 6 weeks. Maximum pressure of pelvic floor muscle contraction (MPPFMC), average pressure of pelvic floor muscle contraction (APPFMC), duration time of pelvic floor muscle contraction (DTPFMC) and the subjective lower urinary symptoms were measured by digital perineometer and Bristol Female Urinary Symptom Questionnaire and compared between two groups prior to trial, at the end of treatment and 6 weeks after treatment. Results. The results of this study indicated that MPPFMC, APPFMC, DTPFMC were significantly increased and subjective lower urinary symptoms were significantly decreased after treatment in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusions. This study suggested that the pelvic floor muscle exercise using biofeedback and electrical stimulation might be a safer and more effective program for reinforcing pelvic floor muscle after normal delivery.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.46-56
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of pelvic floor muscle exercise on reducing the symptoms of stress urinary incontinence and improving attitude toward exercise and quality of life. Method: The research adopted was a nonequivalent control group pretest posttest design. The subjects were 55 persons who were surveyed using a structured questionnaire, and 23 persons in the experimental group among the total sample were measured for the peak pressure and the duration of PMC and trained correct pelvic floor muscle contraction using peritron in the first week. Then, pelvic floor muscle exercise was implemented for 6 weeks. The data was analyzed by $\chi^2$-test and t-test with the SPSS 10.0 program. Results: 1) The degree of stress urinary incontinence, frequency of urination, nocturia, urgency, noctural incontinence, the frequency and quantity of incontinence, outer clothing change and incomplete emptying decreased significantly more in the experimental group than in the control group. 2) Attitude toward pelvic floor muscle exercise and the qualify of life were improved significantly more in the experimental group than in the control group. 3) The peak pressure and duration of PMC increased significantly more in the posttest. Conclusion: Based on the results above, it is judged that pelvic floor muscle exercise is an effective nursing intervention in order to care for stress urinary incontinence.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.34-47
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• 1999

This study evaluated the Comparison of the Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Muscle exercise and Biofeedback treatment for Genuine Stress Incontinence I assigned 60 participants to 2 groups : 30 to the pelvic floor muscle exercise group and 30 to the biofeedback group. Treatment protocol lasted for 6 weeks. Peak pressure, and duration time of pelvic muscle contraction were evaluated by a perineometer. Lower urinary symptoms, sexual matter and life style scores were achieved by using Jackson's scale. The treatment efficacy of the pelvic floor muscle exercise is compared with the biofeedback group and the main results of the comparison are as follows : 1. Pelvic muscle contraction 1) The peak pressure in the biofeedback group was significantly increased(P＝0.000). 2. The frequency and quantity of incontinence 1) The frequency of incontinence in the biofeedback group was significantly decreased(P＝0.000). 2) The quantity of incontinence in the biofeedback group was significantly decreased(P＝0.000). 3. The lower urinary symptoms Daily frequency(P＝0.000), nocturia(P＝0.000), urgency(P＝0.000), bladder pain(P＝0.000), unexplained incontinence(P＝0.048), wearing protection(P＝0.022), changing outer clothing(P＝0.005), hesitancy(P＝0.008), intermittent stream(P＝0.000), abnormal strength of stream(P＝0.004), retention(P＝0.000), incomplete emptying(P＝0.000), and inability to stop mid stream(P＝0.006) of the lower urinary symptoms in the biofeedbatk group were significantly decreased. 4. The sexual matters The dry vagina (P＝0.004) and pain during sexual Intercourse (P＝0.002) in the biofeedback group was significantly decreased. 5. The life style The fluid intake restriction(P＝0.007), affected daily task(P＝0.003), avoidance of places & situation(P＝0.003), interference in Physical activity (P＝0.002), interference in relationship with other people(P＝0.01), and feeling about the rest of life with urinary symptom(P＝0.000) in the biofeedback group were significantly decreased. In conclusion, the biofeedback treatment was more effective than the pelvic floor muscle exercise in genuine stress incontinence.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.412-423
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• 2002

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise using biofeedback and electrical stimulation after normal vaginal delivery. The data were collected from November 1999 to April 2000 at a university hospital located in Seoul, Korea. Out of 49 women with normal vaginal delivery, 25 of experimental group(with exercise) and 24 of control group(without exercise) were questioned about lower urinary symptoms, discomfort during sexual intercourse and daily life. The maximum pressure of pelvic floor muscle contraction(MPPFMC) and duration of pelvic floor muscle contraction(DPFMC) were measured at pre-treatment, the end of treatment and 8 weeks after a treatment program. The pelvic floor muscle exercise program(using biofeedback and electrical stimulation) was applied to the experimental group twice a week for 4 weeks at the incontinence clinic and the pelvic floor muscle exercise at home for that time and more 8 weeks. Data were analyzed by t-test, $x^2$-test, Fisher's exact test and the repeated measures ANOVA. The results were as follows; 1) MPPFMC(p=0.000) and DPFMC(p=0.021) were significantly increased in the experimental group. 2) In the lower urinary symptoms, daily frequency(p=0.001), nocturia(p=0.002), incontinence episode(p=0.016), stress incontinence(p=0.012), quantity of incontinence(p=0.026), straining(p=0.041), and strength of stream(p=0.009) were significantly decreased in the experimental group. 3) Discomfort during sexual intercourse had not a significant difference between the two groups, which was not significantly decreased as time passed. 4) In the discomfort during daily life, activity restriction(p=0.042), exercise restriction (p=0.008), interpersonal relationship restriction(p=0.046), and discomfort of general life(p=0.027) showed a significant difference between the two groups, which were not significantly decreased as time passed. In conclusion, it is suggested that the pelvic floor muscle exercise using biofeedback and electrical stimulation might be a safer and more effective program for the improvement of postpartum pelvic muscle contraction.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.713-722
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of pelvic floor muscle exercise using electric stimulation and biofeedback on maximum pressure of vaginal contraction, vaginal contraction duration and sexual function in women who have had vaginal rejuvenation. Methods: The research design was a non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design study. Participants in this study were women who had vaginal rejuvenation at C obstetrics and gynecology hospital. The 15 participants in the experimental group were given pelvic floor muscle exercise using electric stimulation and biofeedback and the 15 participants in the control group received self pelvic floor muscle exercise. Results: For maximum pressure of vaginal contraction, the experimental group showed a statistically significant increase compared to than the control group (t=5.96, p <.001). For vaginal contraction duration, the experimental group also showed a statistically significant increase compared to the control group (t=3.23, p =.003). For women' s sexual function, the experimental group showed a significant increase when compared to the control group in total sexual function scores (t=3.41, p =.002). Conclusion: The results indicate that pelvic floor muscle exercise with electric stimulation and biofeedback after vaginal rejuvenation is effective in strengthening vaginal contraction pressure, vaginal contraction and that it also positively functions to increase women's sexual function.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.49-66
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• 2002

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercise treatment program for the older women with stress incontinence. The researcher developed 8 weeks training program which was implemented at a social welfare center in Seoul. The exercise method followed the Kegel criteria. Verbal instructions were given to the subjects. Subjects were confirmed of the exercises and evaluated by description of the exercise method. Fourteen elderly women(mean age 75.7) with stress incontinence participated and completed this program. The training sessions were held twice a week and each session took 45 minutes ; 15 minutes for pelvic floor muscle strengthening program and 30 minutes for other physical therapy. Pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercise program was applied using verbal instruction and practice at social welfare center, twice a week and daily home exercise program were given to each individual. The results were as follows ; 1. There was significant decrease of lower urinary symptoms in the subjects (p = 0.00) 2 But there was no significant change in the sexual matters (p = 0.44) and the life style (p = 0.41) In conclusion, further study with larger sample group is suggested in order to confirm the study result. Because of limited sample size, the study results were not conclusive. But the pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercise treatment program could be a safe and effective program and is suggestive for the community residing older women with stress incontinence as a geriatric physical therapy intervention.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.203-210
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise(PFME) in women with urinary incontinence (UI) after ischemic stroke. Methods : Thirty women were divided into two groups by randomly Experimental Group(15 subject) and Control Group(15 subject) in a single blinded, randomised study. Experimental Group was conducted for the 6-weeks PFME program and had a structured training program for 60 minutes, 3 days per week and they were encouraged to PFME at home seven days for a period of 6weeks. They were measured by questionnaire of urinary symptoms and perineometry. Results : A significant improvement in pelvic floor muscle strength and lower urinary tract symptom was also demonstrated within the Treatment Group(p<.05), but not in the Control Group. Conclusion : PFME program had a significant effect in women with UI after stroke measured by pelvic floor muscle strength and lower urinary tract symptom.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.87-95
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• 2008

Pelvic floor muscles positively affect not only urinary incontinence but also lumbar stabilization by generating intra－abdominal pressure through interaction with muscles around the trunk. Especially, contracting pelvic floor muscles consistently and gently at low intensity is one of the most effective methods to separate and contract transverse abdominis which plays an important role in lumbar stabilization. The purpose of this study was to reexamine the importance of pelvic floor muscles which had not been used much in the treatment of lumbago and to introduce pelvic floor muscle exercises that can be utilized in the treatment of lumbago by examining literature on the relationship between pelvic floor muscles and lumbar stabilization. It is expected that this study will help apply lumbar stabilization exercise to patients with lumbago more variously and effectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.123-132
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• 2017

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise during abdominal hollowing with conscious contraction of the pelvic floor muscles on trunk muscle in healthy twenties subjects. METHODS: The participants were randomly allocated to an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). The experimental group received lumbar stabilization exercise combined with conscious contraction of the pelvic floor muscles during abdominal hollowing. The control group received lumbar stabilization exercise with abdominal hollowing. Both groups trained with the respective exercise for 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Muscle activation of the external oblique and erector spinae muscles, thickness of the transversus abdominis and multifidus, and contraction holding time of tranversus abdominis were measured before and after exercise. RESULTS: Activations of both the external oblique muscles were significantly decreased, and thickness of both the transversus abdominis and multifidus muscles, and contraction holding time of the transversus abdominis muscle were significantly increased in the experimental group (p<.05). The thickness of the left transversus abdominis and right multifidus muscles, and the contraction holding time of the transversus abdominis muscle significantly increased in the control group (p<.05). On comparing both groups, the activations of both external oblique muscles were significantly reduced and the contraction holding time of the transversus abdominis muscle was significantly increased in the experimental group (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that lumbar stabilization exercise by abdominal hollowing and conscious contraction of the pelvic floor muscles is suitable and efficient for healthy twenties subjects.