Effects of the Paula method in electromyographic activation of the pelvic floor: a comparative study

Introduction and hypothesis To determine if Paula method of circular muscles contraction e.g., those surrounding the eyes, mouth and fingers, could increase pelvic floor muscle (PFM) activity. Methods Thirty-four healthy, nulliparous volunteers were included, with an average age of 28 (±5.9) years a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International Urogynecology Journal 2011-06, Vol.22 (6), p.677-680
Main Authors: Resende, Ana Paula M., Zanetti, Míriam R. D., Petricelli, Carla D., Castro, Rodrigo A., Alexandre, Sandra M., Nakamura, Mary U.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Electromyography
Exercise - physiology
Exercise Therapy - methods
Eyelids - physiology
Facial Muscles - physiology
Female
Fingers - physiology
Gynecology
Humans
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Mouth - physiology
Muscle Contraction - physiology
Original Article
Pelvic Floor - physiology
Random Allocation
Urology
Young Adult
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Summary:Introduction and hypothesis To determine if Paula method of circular muscles contraction e.g., those surrounding the eyes, mouth and fingers, could increase pelvic floor muscle (PFM) activity. Methods Thirty-four healthy, nulliparous volunteers were included, with an average age of 28 (±5.9) years and body mass index of 23.8 (±3.3) kg/m 2 . They were assigned to randomly perform the sequence: a PFM maximal voluntary contraction, a contraction of circular muscles, followed by a simultaneous combination of PFM and circular muscle contraction. The PFM were evaluated using surface electromyography. Results PFM activity at baseline was 22.6 (±10.9) μv. It was unchanged with Paula method contraction ( p  = 0.322). There were also no differences between values of PFM maximal voluntary contraction alone, 99.8 (±44.3) μv and in combination with the Paula method, 91.8 (±35.3) μv ( p  = 0.093). Conclusions The Paula method seems not to increase PFM activity in nulliparous women.
ISSN:0937-3462
1433-3023
DOI:10.1007/s00192-010-1331-x