The effect of pelvic floor muscle training and perineal massage in late pregnancy on postpartum pelvic floor function in nulliparas: A randomised controlled clinical trial

To evaluate the effects of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and perineal massage during late pregnancy on postpartum pelvic floor function in nulliparas. Randomised controlled trial. The Peking University First Hospital, a teaching hospital in China. Two-hundred nulliparas were included. Nulliparas were randomised into four groups in a 1:1:1:1 ratio. Group A, control; group B, perineal massage; group C, pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT); group D, perineal massage and PFMT. The intervention group received the corresponding intervention from 34 weeks of gestation until delivery. Changes in pelvic floor function from 34 weeks of gestation to 6 weeks postpartum were assessed using pelvic floor electromyography (EMG), pelvic organ prolapse quantitation (POP-Q), and pelvic floor distress inventory-20 (PFDI-20). Those with PFMT (groups C and D) had a smaller decline in pelvic floor EMG of fibre II than those without PFMT (groups A and B) [− 0.2 (− 7.1, 11.3) µV vs 6.1 (− 0.2, 15.2) µV, P = 0.040]. The same scenario was observed in the pelvic floor EMG of fibre I. The Aa point measurement differences of those with PFMT (groups C and D) were smaller than those without PFMT (groups A and B) [0.0 (0.0, 2.0) cm vs 1.0 (0.0, 3.0) cm, P = 0.006]. The same result was observed for point Ba. No difference was observed in EMG and POP-Q in nulliparas with (groups B and D) or without perineal massage (groups A and C). No differences were observed in PFDI-20 scores. PFMT during late pregnancy enhanced pelvic floor EMG, while perineal massage alone or PFMT combined with perineal massage did not. PFMT in late pregnancy enhances pelvic floor function. •The effect of pelvic floor muscle training and perineal massage in the last trimester on nulliparas.•Pelvic floor muscle training alone enhances pelvic floor electromyography.•Perineal massage alone or combine with pelvic floor muscle training don’t.