Feasibility, acceptability and effects of multimodal pelvic floor physical therapy for gynecological cancer survivors suffering from painful sexual intercourse: A multicenter prospective interventional study

Abstract Purpose Obesity is prevalent in gynecological cancer survivors and is associated with impaired health outcomes. Concerns due to cancer and its treatment may impact changes in lifestyle after cancer. This study aimed to assess the association between cancer-related psychosocial factors and changes in physical activity and diet, 18 months after initial treatment among gynecological cancer survivors. Methods Cross-sectional data from the ROGY Care study were used, including endometrial and ovarian cancer patients treated with curative intent. The Impact of Cancer Scale (IOCv2) was used to assess cancer-related psychosocial factors. Self-reported changes in nutrients/food groups and in physical activity post-diagnosis were classified into change groups (less/equal/more). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess associations. Results Data from 229 cancer survivors (59% endometrial, 41% ovarian, mean age 66 ± 9.5, 70% tumor stage I) were analyzed. In total, 20% reported to eat healthier from diagnosis up to 18 months after initial treatment, 17% reported less physical activity and 20% more physical activity. Health awareness (OR 2.79, 95% CI: 1.38; 5.65), body change concerns (OR 3.04 95% CI: 1.71; 5.39), life interferences (OR 4.88 95% 2.29; 10.38) and worry (OR 2.62, 95% CI: 1.42; 4.85) were significantly associated with less physical activity up to 18 months after initial treatment whereby gastrointestinal symptoms were an important confounder. Conclusion(s) This study underlines the need to raise awareness of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and to provide tailored lifestyle advice, taking into account survivors’ health awareness, body change concerns, life interferences, worry and gastrointestinal symptoms, in order to improve health behavior among gynecological cancer survivors. Trial Registration http://clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01185626, August 20, 2010

Download Full-text

Benefit of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Pediatric Patients with Dyssynergic Defecation Constipation

Digestive Diseases ◽

10.1159/000500121 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (6) ◽

pp. 478-485 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Claire Zar-Kessler ◽

Braden Kuo ◽

Elizabeth Cole ◽

Anna Benedix ◽

Jaime Belkind-Gerson

Keyword(s):

Physical Therapy ◽

Pelvic Floor ◽

Chronic Constipation ◽

Muscle Tone ◽

Colonic Surgery ◽

Tertiary Referral Center ◽

Dyssynergic Defecation ◽

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy ◽

Novel Treatment ◽

Balloon Expulsion

Objectives: Chronic constipation is a common childhood problem and often caused or worsened by abnormal dynamics of defecation. The aim of this study was to assess the benefit of pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT), a novel treatment in pediatrics for the treatment of chronic constipation with dyssynergic defecation. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 69 children seen at a pediatric neurogastroenterology program of a large tertiary referral center for chronic constipation and dyssynergic defecation, determined by anorectal manometry and balloon expulsion testing. We compared the clinical outcome of patients who underwent PFPT (n = 49) to control patients (n = 20) whom received only medical treatment (laxatives/stool softeners). Additionally, characteristics of the treatment group were analyzed in relation to therapeutic response. Results: Thirty-seven (76%) of the patients who received physical therapy had improvement in constipation symptoms, compared to 5 (25%) of the patients on conservative treatment (p < 0.01). Additionally, patients who received pelvic physical therapy had fewer hospitalizations for cleanouts (4 vs. 25%, p = 0.01) and colonic surgery than those that were treated with medical therapy exclusively (0 vs. 10%, p = 0.03). Among the patients who received physical therapy, those that suffered from anxiety and/or low muscle tone had a higher response rate (100%). There were no adverse effects from the intervention. Conclusion: The new field of pediatric PFPT is a safe and effective intervention for children with dyssynergic defecation causing or contributing to chronic constipation, particularly in children whose comorbidities include anxiety and low muscle tone.

Download Full-text