Abstract
Background: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), affecting up to 50% of postpartum women, can lead to conditions like pelvic pain, incontinence, bowel issues, and even prolapse. Standard treatments for PFD include surgical options, medications, and physical therapy. However, non-invasive alternatives, such as sit-on-top pelvic stimulators and pelvic exercisers like Kegel devices, are showing evidence based results for their ability to strengthen pelvic floor muscles and improve quality of life. This research evaluates the impact of these devices on pelvic floor function and overall well-being in postpartum women. Method: The study was conducted as an experimental trial with 30 postpartum women aged 20–35 who had undergone vaginal delivery at least three weeks prior. Exclusions included women with severe pelvic floor disorders, histories of prolapse or incontinence, and those who had undergone C-sections. Over the course of eight weeks at the Faculty of Physiotherapy, Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, participants engaged in a total of 45-minute sessions using a sit-on-top pelvic stimulator and pelvic exerciser three times a week. Researchers assessed changes in pelvic floor function and quality of life before and after the intervention using validated scales, including the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20), Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ), and the SF-36, a health-related quality-of-life measure. Result: Result indicated significant improvements in pelvic floor function and life quality following the intervention. The PFDI-20 scores, which measure symptoms related to PFD, decreased from an average of 65.69 ± 7.84 before the study to 45.03 ± 5.10 after the intervention, with a statistically significant t-value of 18.13 (P ≤ 0.001). PFIQ scores also decreased notably from a pre-test mean of 66.83 ± 4.56 to a post-test mean of 47.29 ± 3.79 (t-value = 24.44, P ≤ 0.001). Furthermore, SF-36 scores, reflecting overall life quality, increased significantly from 45.97 ± 6.44 to 63.98 ± 5.80 (t-value = 19.35, P ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: These findings suggest that using the pelvic stimulator and exerciser contributed to considerable improvements in pelvic floor function and overall quality of life. Conclusively, these devices offer promising support for postpartum rehabilitation, presenting a valuable adjunct to traditional postpartum care practices.
Acknowledgements
The authors sincerely extend their thanks and gratitude to the management of Dr. M.G.R Educational and Research Institute for providing all the research facilities and infrastructure for successfully completing the study
Recommended Citation
S V, M K, C.V S, Sudhakar S, G M, S R, et al. Evaluating the Impact of Sit-on-Top Pelvic Stimulator and Pelvic Exerciser on Pelvic Floor Function and Quality of Life Among Postpartum Women. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2025 Oct 15;23(4), Article 23.
