The Effects of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Applied via Telerehabilitation During the Postpartum Period: A Randomized Controlled Study

<b>Purpose:</b> To examine the short- and medium-term effects of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) applied via telerehabilitation (TR) on pelvic floor muscle function, pelvic floor symptoms, and quality of life. <b>Methods:</b> Fifty-eight women between the ages of 18 and 35 who were between 6 and 8 weeks postpartum were included. The participants were randomized into the PFMT applied via TR (TR-PFMT) group or the supervised PFMT (S-PFMT) group. The PFMT was performed for 8 weeks, 2 days a week, and 45-50 min a day. The participants' pelvic floor muscle function, pelvic floor symptoms, and quality of life were evaluated with the superficial electromyography, the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20), and the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7, respectively. <b>Results:</b> Phasic, tonic, and endurance activities of the pelvic floor muscles were significantly higher in both groups immediately after and 8 weeks after the exercise program (all <i>p</i> < 0.05). In addition, total PFDI-20 and all subscales' scores decreased significantly in the TR-PFMT group (all <i>p</i> < 0.05). In the S-PFMT group, total PFDI-20 (<i>p</i> = 0.012) and Urinary Distress Inventory-6 (<i>p</i> = 0.012) scores improved significantly. A significant difference was found between the groups in favor of the TR-PFMT group in terms of total PFDI-20 (<i>p</i> = 0.024; <i>p</i> = 0.024) and Urinary Distress Inventory-6 (<i>p</i> = 0.033; <i>p</i> = 0.040) scores immediately after and 8 weeks after the exercise program. <b>Conclusions:</b> TR-PFMT and S-PFMT improved women's pelvic floor muscle function, pelvic floor symptoms, and quality of life in the short and medium term. Improvement in urinary symptoms was greater after TR-PFMT. TR-PFMT should be considered for postpartum women.