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Can the Paula method facilitate co-contraction of the pelvic floor muscles? A 4D ultrasound study

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

The aim was to compare constriction of the levator hiatus (LH) and reduction of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) length during instruction of the Paula method (contraction of ring musculature of the mouth) and contraction of the PFM.

Methods

Seventeen pregnant or postpartum women, mean age 28.6 (range 20–35) participated. A Voluson E8 ultrasound machine with 4–8 MHz curved array 3D/4D transducer (RAB 4-7l/obstetric) was used. Measurements were performed in the axial plane of minimal hiatal dimensions. Muscle length was calculated as circumference of the LH minus the suprapubic arch. Differences between groups were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed rank test. Significance level was set to 0.05.

Results

There was a significant reduction of the LH area (p < 0.001) and muscle length (p < 0.001) during PFM contraction, but not during contraction according to the Paula method, p = 0.51 and p = 0.31, respectively.

Conclusions

The Paula method did not facilitate PFM contraction.

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Fig. 1

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Abbreviations

LH:

Levator hiatus

PB:

Pubic bone

PFM:

Pelvic floor muscles

PFMT:

Pelvic floor muscle training

RCT:

Randomized controlled trial

SUI:

Stress urinary incontinence

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Acknowledgement

This study was supported financially by the Norwegian Research Council, Program for Clinical Research and Helse Sør-Øst.

Conflicts of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, PO Box 4014, Ullevål Stadion, 0806, Oslo, Norway

    Kari Bø & Gunvor Hilde

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway

    Kari Bø, Gunvor Hilde, Jette Stær-Jensen & Ingeborg Hoff Brækken

Authors
  1. Kari Bø
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  2. Gunvor Hilde
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  3. Jette Stær-Jensen
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  4. Ingeborg Hoff Brækken
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Correspondence to Kari Bø.

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Bø, K., Hilde, G., Stær-Jensen, J. et al. Can the Paula method facilitate co-contraction of the pelvic floor muscles? A 4D ultrasound study. Int Urogynecol J 22, 671–676 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-010-1317-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-010-1317-8

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