Effect of onternet-based home treatment with electrical stimulation plus biofeedback training on pelvic floor rehabilitation

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the effect of internet-based home treatment with electrical stimulation plus biofeedback training on pelvic floor rehabilitation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Subjects (315 in total) were selected from patients with pelvic floor dysfunction who were diagnosed from October 2022 to June 2023. A home rehabilitation group (n = 178, receiving the Internet-based home treatment with electrical stimulation plus biofeedback training) and an in-hospital rehabilitation group (n = 137, treated with electrical stimulation plus biofeedback training in hospital) were set up. RESULTS: After treatment, differences of statistical significance in POP-Aa, POP-Ba, POP-Gh, POP-Ap, POP-Bp, muscle potential, type I muscle fiber, type II muscle fiber, Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory-6 (POPDI-6) subscale score, Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory-8 (CRADI-8) subscale score, and Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6) subscale score were observed in the home rehabilitation group compared with those before treatment (p < 0.05). Significant differences were detected in the changes in POP-Ap, type I muscle fiber, and type II muscle fiber between the groups before and after treatment, and a greater decrease in POP-Ap and smaller increases in type I muscle fiber and type II muscle fiber were obtained from the home rehabilitation group after treatment in comparison with those from the in-hospital rehabilitation group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although the internet-based home treatment with electrical stimulation plus biofeedback training costs a longer time than in-hospital rehabilitation treatment, it can exert better therapeutic effects in terms of improving muscle potential, POP, and urinary symptoms.