Effects of Breathing Exercises in Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain

Investigation of the Clinical Effects of Breathing Exercises Combined With Pelvic Floor Exercises in Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain

The primary cause of the complex interaction of chronic pelvic pain originates from the visceral organs in the pelvic cavity, and it has been observed that musculoskeletal dysfunctions (such as increased muscle activity in the pelvic floor muscles) are often accompanied by visceral painful stimuli in the pelvic region as a result of shared innervation and visceral-somatic convergence.

This study aims to investigate the effect of breathing exercises combined with pelvic floor exercises on pain, pelvic floor muscle activity, psychological factors, and quality of life in women with chronic pelvic pain.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Be diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain (CPA)
• Having pelvic pain for at least 6 months
• 18-45 years old
• Having high resting activity of the pelvic floor (>2 microvolts based on superficial EMG (sEMG) readings)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a history of pelvic cancer and/or surgery
• Receiving radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy
• Having a neurological and/or psychiatric pathology
• Have a urinary tract infection
• Menopause
• Presence of current pregnancy status
• History of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy
• Presence of prolapse
• Being >30 kg/cm2 according to body mass index (BMI)
• Have received treatment for the pelvic area including manual therapy and electrotherapy in the last 6 months
• Having had botulinum toxin injections in the pelvic region in the last 6 months
• Having a communication problem