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

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International Urogynecology Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

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/m2. 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.

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Abbreviations

PFMT:

Pelvic floor muscle training

PFM:

Pelvic floor muscles

MVC:

Maximal voluntary contraction

RCT:

Randomized controlled trial

SEMG:

Surface electromyography

SPSS:

Statistical package for social sciences

BMI:

Body mass index

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Acknowledgment

The authors are grateful for the support received from Mahle Foundation.

Conflicts of interest

None

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Obstetrics Department, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 875, São Paulo, São Paulo, 04024-002, Brazil

    Ana Paula M. Resende, Míriam R. D. Zanetti, Carla D. Petricelli, Sandra M. Alexandre & Mary U. Nakamura

  2. Gynecology Department, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 875, São Paulo, São Paulo, 04024-002, Brazil

    Rodrigo A. Castro

Authors
  1. Ana Paula M. Resende
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  2. Míriam R. D. Zanetti
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  3. Carla D. Petricelli
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  4. Rodrigo A. Castro
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  5. Sandra M. Alexandre
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  6. Mary U. Nakamura
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ana Paula M. Resende.

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Resende, A.P.M., Zanetti, M.R.D., Petricelli, C.D. et al. Effects of the Paula method in electromyographic activation of the pelvic floor: a comparative study. Int Urogynecol J 22, 677–680 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-010-1331-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-010-1331-x

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