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The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of spinal alignment on pelvic floor efficiency in nulliparous women.
Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) may extend beyond the pelvic region by inducing myofascial disturbances in anatomically distant structures connected through the myofascial network. Among these, low back pain (LBP) is one of the most frequently reported musculoskeletal conditions associated with PFD. This relationship is thought to arise from lumbopelvic instability and altered coordination of the core musculature. The pelvic floor muscles (PFMs), together with the transversus abdominis, diaphragm, and multifidus, form an integrated stabilizing system that contributes to spinal stability and postural control. Consequently, dysfunction of the transversus abdominis may compromise not only pelvic floor function but also overall lumbopelvic stability. Women with LBP have been shown to exhibit reduced PFM contraction strength despite preserved transversus abdominis activation, suggesting that impaired PFM function may play a more prominent role in the development of LBP than deficits in the abdominal muscles alone. Conversely, inadequate activation or endurance of the transversus abdominis has also been associated with impaired PFM function. Furthermore, altered movement patterns, dysfunctional breathing, and postural deviations can disrupt load transfer through the lumbopelvic region, thereby increasing the risk of PFD.
There is a dearth of knowledge regarding the effect of spinal alignment on pelvic floor efficiency in nulliparous women. This study, therefore, contributes valuable insights into a relatively unexplored area of nulliparous women's health. By assessing the pelvic floor muscles in nulliparous women with different spinal alignment patterns, including lordosis, kyphosis, and scoliosis, this study may enhance the well-being of nulliparous women, provide a more comprehensive approach to health improvement, help protect them from future pelvic floor dysfunction, and broaden the scope of physiotherapy in women's health.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nulliparous women with thoracolumbar scoliosis | Twenty nulliparous women with thoracolumbar scoliosis. They will undergo assessment using Formetric analysis and vaginal pressure biofeedback. |
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| Nulliparous women with hyperlordosis | Twenty nulliparous women with hyperlordosis. They will undergo assessment using Formetric analysis and vaginal pressure biofeedback. |
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| Nulliparous women with thoracic kyphosis | Twenty nulliparous women with thoracic kyphosis. They will undergo assessment using Formetric analysis and vaginal pressure biofeedback. |
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| Nulliparous women with normal spinal alignment | Twenty nulliparous women with normal spinal alignment. They will undergo assessment using Formetric analysis and vaginal pressure biofeedback. |
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Intervention | Other | No Intervention |
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| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Pelvic floor muscle strength | Pelvic floor muscle strength was measured using vaginal pressure biofeedback (maximum voluntary contraction pressure). | Baseline |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Pelvic floor muscle endurance | Pelvic floor muscle endurance was assessed using vaginal pressure biofeedback (duration of sustained maximal voluntary contraction). | Baseline |
| Spinal alignment angle |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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The study population consisted of 80 nulliparous women aged 25-35 years with different spinal alignment patterns (thoracolumbar scoliosis, hyperlordosis, thoracic kyphosis, or normal spinal alignment). Participants were recruited from the outpatient orthopedic clinic of Gesr El Suez, Cairo, Egypt. Eligible participants had a body mass index (BMI) of <30 kg/m² and no history of pregnancy, spinal surgery, congenital spinal deformity, neuromuscular disorders, systemic diseases, malignancy, or urogenital disorders.
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| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Afaf Mohamed Mahmoud Botla, PhD | Professor, Cairo University | Study Chair |
| Amira Nagy Abd Ellatief Hamad, PhD | Lecturer, Cairo University | Study Director |
| Amal Abd Elrahman Mohamed Elborady | Assist. Professor, Cairo University | Study Director |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University | Giza | Egypt |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D059952 | Pelvic Floor Disorders |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D052776 | Female Urogenital Diseases |
| D005261 | Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications |
| D000091642 | Urogenital Diseases |
| D011248 | Pregnancy Complications |
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It was measured using the DIERS Formetric 4D system.
| Baseline |
| Pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms | Total score and domain scores (bladder, bowel, prolapse, and sexual function) were assessed using the Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire (APFQ). | Baseline |
| Health-related quality of life | It was assessed by using Free online SF-12 Health Survey Version 2 (SF-12v2) score calculator. The SF-12V2 measures eight scales: physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional, and mental health. | Baseline |
| D052801 | Male Urogenital Diseases |