Tension in transverse structures in women with pelvic organ prolapse - Preliminary observations

BackgroundPhysiotherapy treatment for women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) requires a holistic approach based on tensegrity theory and fascial connections.ObjectiveThe study examined the tension of transverse body structures (transverse diaphragms) in healthy women and women with pelvic organ prolapse. To draw attention to the fact that treating women with pelvic organ prolapse requires a holistic approach and not just pelvic floor muscle exercises.DesignA cross-sectional studies.MethodsThe women were divided into an experimental group with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) n=31 and a healthy control group n=29. Measurements were taken with eyes open and eyes closed. The tension force of each diaphragm and the simultaneous tension of the three diaphragms were compared.ResultsA significant difference was identified between diaphragm tension with eyes open and closed p<0.0001 in both study groups. In both groups, there was no statistical relationship between the diaphragm muscle and the diaphragm of the foot with eyes closed; in the group with POP p=1, and in the control group p=0.2291. The values for the tentorium cerebelli/tongue (clamping force between the maxilla and the mandible) were similar with open and closed eyes in both groups. For open eyes p=0.486 and closed eyes p=0.0929. The Permanovas for the open-eyes and closed-eyes test showed that the two groups had different effects in terms of the traits studied p<0.0001. PCA-biplots show that the group of women with pelvic organ prolapse differs in terms of simultaneous tension of the three diaphragms compared to the control group of healthy women with eyes open and closed.ConclusionThe results obtained from preliminary observations suggest that assessment of the transverse structures in women experimental group with POP may indicate that physiotherapy should involve working with the whole body.