A guide to physiotherapy in urogynecology for patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cristine Homsi Jorge Ferreira, Patricia Driusso, Jorge Milhem Haddad, Simone Botelho Pereira, Ana Carolina Nociti Lopes Fernandes, Debora Porto, Bianca Manzan Reis, Lilian Rose Mascarenhas, Luiz Gustavo Oliveira Brito, Elizabeth Alves Gonçalves Ferreira, Cristine Homsi Jorge Ferreira, Patricia Driusso, Jorge Milhem Haddad, Simone Botelho Pereira, Ana Carolina Nociti Lopes Fernandes, Debora Porto, Bianca Manzan Reis, Lilian Rose Mascarenhas, Luiz Gustavo Oliveira Brito, Elizabeth Alves Gonçalves Ferreira

Abstract

Introduction and aim: Physiotherapy in urogynecology faces challenges to safely continuing its work, considering the adoption of social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some guidelines have already been published for urogynecology; however, no specific documents have been produced on physiotherapy in urogynecology. This article aimed to offer guidance regarding physiotherapy in urogynecology during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A group of experts in physiotherapy in women's health performed a literature search in the Pubmed, PEDro, Web of Science and Embase databases and proposed a clinical guideline for physiotherapy management of urogynecological disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. This document was reviewed by other physiotherapists and a multidisciplinary panel, which analyzed the suggested topics and reached consensus. The recommendations were grouped according to their similarities and allocated into categories.

Results: Four categories of recommendations (ethics and regulation issues, assessment of pelvic floor muscle function and dysfunction, health education and return to in-person care) were proposed. Telephysiotherapy and situations that need in-person care were also discussed. Regionalization is another topic that was considered.

Conclusion: This study provides some guidance for continuity of the physiotherapist's work in urogynecology during the COVID-19 pandemic, considering the World Health Organization recommendations and the epidemiological public health situation of each region. Telephysiotherapy can also be used to provide continuity of the care in this area during the COVID-19 pandemic, opening new perspectives for physiotherapy in urogynecology.

Keywords: COVID-19; Pandemic; Pelvic floor muscles; Physiotherapy; Rehabilitation; Urogynecology.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors completed the ICJME Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest and reported no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA flow diagram of study selection process

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Source: PubMed

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