Avaliação da adesão e autoeficácia do treinamento da musculatura do assoalho pélvico obtidas por meio do uso de um aplicativo multimídia

Abstract

Background: Studies show that pregnancy and childbirth are important risk factors for the occurrence of dysfunctions in the pelvic floor muscle (PFM) and that there is a need for pregnant women to receive information about this. In this way, pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) can prevent and treat those dysfunctions. Moreover, health education can provide knowledge about the importance of the pelvic floor muscle as well as its functions and dysfunctions and can increase PFMT’s adherence and efficacy. Aims: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate adherence to PFMT and self-efficacy obtained using a mobile application containing educational information about the PFM and a PFMT program. The secondary aim was to analyze those pregnant women’s satisfaction with this technology. Methods: That is a descriptive cross-sectional study, consisting of the following steps: Bibliographic Review with the object to find studies at the databases that were about the assessment of adherence and self-efficacy, and how much those factors contribute to positive results in the PFMT; Adherence Evaluation of PFMT program is available in the application, through a questionnaire; Self-efficacy Verifying developed by the women participating using a scale already elaborated and validated; Satisfaction Questionnaire Application to assess the content available in this technological tool and its contribution to the participants; Statistical Analysis and Discussion of the Results Obtained to verify a possible correlation between the different factors evaluated. Results: Eighteen pregnant women completed the 8-week exercise protocol with mean adherence of 30.4±14.00 days, and only half of the participants completed at least 28 days of exercise. The general average of the Self-Efficacy Scale after eight weeks of the protocol was 75.8±14.8. The variables adherence and self-efficacy showed a strong correlation after eight weeks of the PFMT protocol (r = 0,0794 and p < 0,001). Only 16 pregnant women answered the satisfaction questionnaire; they were all satisfied with the PFMT protocol; thirteen were satisfied with the app. Conclusion: The application demonstrated good applicability for promoting health education for pregnant women and may contribute to self-confidence concerning PFMT, and adherence to training, helping physiotherapists conduct a treatment program.