Synergistic And Isolated Effects Of Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation And Ultrasound Therapy On Osteomyoarticular Symptoms In Postnatal Women With Chronic Perineal Pain: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Background: Chronic perineal pain is a common condition among postnatal women that significantly impacts their quality of life. Osteomyoarticular symptoms are often associated with this pain and require comprehensive therapeutic approaches. Previous research has explored the use of pelvic floor rehabilitation (PFR) and ultrasound therapy individually, but the combined effect of both therapies remains underexplored. Aims: This review examines existing literature on the synergistic and isolated effect of pelvic floor rehabilitation and ultrasound therapy in managing chronic perineal pain and osteomyoarticular symptoms in postnatal women. The review aims to highlight the potential clinical benefits of this combined therapeutic approach.

Methods: This review consolidates findings from studies examining the isolated and the synergistic effects of pelvic floor rehabilitation and ultrasound therapy on chronic perineal pain and osteomyoarticular symptoms. A literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials, Science Direct, Pedro, Sage Data, and Google Scholar. The reviewed literature was descriptively analyzed and summarized to evaluate the effects of these combined therapies on pain intensity, pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength, and musculoskeletal symptoms.

Results: The review demonstrates that four clinical trials were included, evaluating the effects of pelvic floor rehabilitation and ultrasound therapy on chronic perineal pain and osteomyoarticular symptoms. All studies consistently show that both pelvic floor rehabilitation and ultrasound therapy significantly improve pain intensity, reduce osteomyoarticular symptoms, and enhance PFM strength in postnatal women. One study highlights the benefits of ultrasound therapy alone, while the others emphasize the combined effect of both therapies. Collectively, these studies support the synergistic effect of combining ultrasound therapy and pelvic floor rehabilitation, showing that this approach leads to more significant improvements in pain reduction and functional outcomes compared to using ultrasound therapy alone. Conclusion: The findings suggest that both isolated and combined pelvic floor rehabilitation and ultrasound therapy show promise in pain relief, muscle strength, and mobility. However, combined therapy yields more significant improvements. Future research should involve larger sample sizes, long-term follow-ups, and neuromuscular analysis to optimize treatment protocols for chronic perineal pain.