EFFECT OF KEGAL EXCERCISES ON MUSCLE STRENGTH OF PELVIC FLOOR MUSCULATURE AFTER EPISIOTOMY

Muhammad Waqas*, Heena Habib, Maria Idrees, Annam Sarwar, Shoaib Asif and Rabbia Tariq

ABSTRACT

Any surgical procedure may cause decrease in muscle strength of effected muscle so as in the case of episiotomy, pelvic floor muscles. Worldwide Kegel exercises are used as most effective conservative treatment for pelvic floor muscle weakness. In this study, it was found that Kegel exercises were not only helpful for pregnant ladies and in old age but also produce results in healthy and quick recovery during postpartum phase. Objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Kegel exercises on muscle strength of pelvic floor musculature after episiotomy. For this Experimental open label comparative study 100 patients were randomly included at the Department of Physiotherapy, Fatima Memorial Hospital Shadman, Lahore. This was a time based study. The patient’s overall assessment of muscle strength of pelvic floor muscles was assessed by using the Oxford Scale of MMT. Muscle strength of every patient was re-evaluated after six weeks. After analysis, it was observed that Kegel Exercises had significant effect on muscle power of pelvic. Floor muscles as measured by oxford Scale [p-value = 0.000(Significant p< 0.05)]. It was observed that there is strong significant positive association between improvement of muscle strength of pelvic floor muscles & doing Kegel exercises for six weeks after episiotomy [p-value = 0.000 (Significant p< 0.05)]. According to the present study it is concluded that the Physical therapy with Kegel Exercises is successful treatment for the weakness of pelvic floor muscles caused by Episiotomy.

Keywords: Kegel exercises, pelvic floor muscles, episiotomy, manual muscle testing, pelvic floor muscle training.