Osteopathic treatment of the genital descensus and its accompanying symptoms in women. A comparative pi-lot study of osteopathy and electrostimulation /biofeedback for the pelvic floor.

Abstract

Background: Genital descensus (POP = Pelvic Organ Prolapse) is a common condition among women (postpartum) in all age groups. The standard treatment is still surgical cor-rection followed by conservative therapies. An alternative method of treatment by osteopa-thy is still not widespread. Aims: There are treatment options analysed by osteopathy or PFMT (pelvic floor muscle training) with biofeedback/electrostimulation. The research question is: Is osteopathy in addition to the active practice by means of electrostimulation and biofeedback more suc-cessful than the practice using only the electrostimulations/biofeedback device? Methods: Clinical comparative study of 30 women. Throughout the observation period, all participants should get a biofeedback device. Half the women will also receive an osteo-pathic treatment. The primary target parameter of the score from the bladder SPSQ ques-tionnaire will be evaluated. As secondary parameters, a further 4 scores from the question-naire, a gynaecological diagnosis and the electromyogram of the biofeedback device are determined. Results: Both methods show a significant improvement (experimental group: p < 0.001; con-trol group: p = 0.024) in the symptoms of genital prolapse of the bladder score. The differ-ence in improving the symptoms in the experimental group is significantly higher (p = 0.005) compared to the control group. Within the secondary parameters is the improvement of gynaecological diagnosis and an enormous increase in muscle strength is visible. Conclusions: Both methods represent a relevant alternative to surgical intervention. Osteo-pathic treatment is a very valuable add-on to standard conservative treatment. Keywords: genital descensus, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic floor muscle training, biofeed-back, osteopathy