MOTOR IMAGERY AS AN ADJUNCT TREATMENT OPTION FOR PELVIC FLOOR DISORDERS – A PILOT STUDY

Background: Knowledge regarding cortical structures, as well as neuronal pathways involved in urinary tract functioning is accumulating. In this process, a growing number of neuropathological causes of pelvic floor disorders have been revealed, increasing recognition of neuropathology in pelvic floor disorders. However, conservative treatment of pelvic floor disorders has yet to be enriched by approaches that make allowances for the repair and preservation of neuronal structures.

Motor Imagery i.e., mental reproduction of movement, without actual movement has been proven to meet these needs and has been successfully implemented into the treatment of numerous pathologies.

Objective: To the author`s knowledge, this is the first study to implement Motor Imagery, as an adjunct treatment, into the treatment of pelvic floor disorders.

Methods: Forty (N=40) participants were allocated to interventional or control group. Both groups received a standardized pelvic floor muscle training for a duration of twelve treatment sessions. The intervention group performed Motor Imagery on a daily basis for five days.

Results: After six weeks of intervention no significant differences were found between control and intervention group. However, significant improvements from pre to post testing emerged in the intervention group in several sub-scales of the King`s Health Questionnaire and the total score of the German version of the Australian pelvic floor questionnaire.

No significant changes were found in the control group.

Adherence was high among participants and MI was shown to be feasible among participants. A significant increase in livelihood of imagined muscle activity was observable, by subjective reporting, using the Motor Imagery Questionnaire – Revised.

Conclusion: Motor Imagery can be advised as an adjunct treatment, as it is easily implemented, economical, practicable regardless of time and place and entails no known side-effects. Moreover, it is adaptable to different conditions and likely to accelerate proprioceptive and muscular abilities by enhanced neuroplasticity.