ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The Pregnancy Mobility Index (PMI) was developed to assess mobility in pregnant women in the Netherlands. At present, no similar questionnaire is available in Brazil. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and evaluate the psychometric properties of a Brazilian PMI. DESIGN AND SETTING: The present study was a validation study conducted at the Universidade Federal do Paraná and a public maternity ward in Curitiba, Brazil. METHODS: Text translation and cross-cultural adaptation followed international guidelines. Construct validity, internal consistency, and inter- and intra-rater reliability tests included 97 women. The Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire, Multidimensional Pain Evaluation Scale, Schober’s test, and lumbar spine range of motion assessment were administered on the first day. Intra-rater reliability (n = 19) was measured after 15 days. Exploratory factor analysis was performed, and the correlation matrix was analyzed using Pearson’s coefficient. RESULTS: Pregnant women (88%) understood the cultural adaptation process. The internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.90), construct validity was moderate, with significant correlation between lumbar spine range of motion (r = 0.283–0.369) and Schober’s test (r = -0.314), and high correlation between the Multidimensional Pain Evaluation Scale (r = -0.650 and -0.499) and Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (r = -0.737). Intra- and inter-rater reliabilities were excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.932 and 0.990, respectively). CONCLUSION: The Brazilian version of the PMI was successfully translated with excellent reliability and moderate-to-high construct validity. It is an important tool for assessing mobility in pregnant women. CLINICAL TRIAL: RBR-789tps (Validation study), https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-789tps.

Resumo Introdução: O treinamento dos músculos do assoalho pélvico (TMAP) e estimulação elétrica neuromuscular (EENM) são recursos fisioterapêuticos utilizados para prevenir e reabilitar de forma conservadora as disfunções do assoalho pélvico. Objetivo: Investigar o efeito imediato de uma sessão de TMAP versus EENM associada à contração dos músculos do assoalho pélvico (MAP) sobre a função dos MAP em mulheres nulíparas. Métodos: Estudo experimental transversal. Vinte mulheres foram randomizadas em “Grupo TMAP” e “Grupo EENM”. A avaliação da função dos MAP foi realizada por palpação vaginal e manometria, antes e após uma única sessão. O TMAP foi composto por uma série de oito contrações sustentadas de 6 segundos e uma série de quatro contrações rápidas, em quatro posições diferentes. Os parâmetros de EENM foram: corrente bifásica pulsada; frequência: 50 Hz; duração do pulso: 0,7 ms; ciclo on:off 4:8s; subida/descida: 2/2s; tempo: 20 minutos; e intensidade: sensibilidade da participante. O teste de ANOVA two-way para medidas repetidas foi aplicado para verificar a diferença intra e entre grupos e as interações para as variáveis da função dos MAP. Considerou-se nível de significância de 5% em todos os testes. Resultados: Não houve diferenças significativas na comparação entre grupos. Na análise intragrupo houve diminuição significativa da variável contração voluntária máxima (p = 0,01), por manometria, entre pré e pós-sessão para ambos os grupos. Conclusão: Os efeitos imediatos de uma única sessão de TMAP e EENM associados à contração voluntária dos MAP são semelhantes na função dos MAP, ou seja, nenhuma diferença foi observada entre os grupos.

Abstract Introduction: Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) are physiotherapeutic conservative treatments to prevent and to treat pelvic floor dysfunctions. Objective: To investigate the immediate effect of one session of PFMT versus NMES associated to pelvic floor muscle (PFM) contraction on the PFM function in nulliparous women. Methods: This is a cross-sectional experimental study. Twenty women were randomized into the “PFMT Group” and “NMES Group”. PFM function evaluation was performed by vaginal palpation and manometry before and after a single session. PFMT was composed by one series of eight sustained contractions of 6 seconds and one series of four fast contractions, in four different positions. NMES parameters were: biphasic pulsed current; frequency: 50 Hz; pulse duration: 0.7 ms; cycle on:off 4:8s; rise/decay: 2/2s, time: 20 minutes; and intensity: participant' sensibility. Data was analyzed by the ANOVA two-way for repeated measures to verify the difference between groups, within group and the interactions for PFM function. A 5% probability was considered in all tests. Results: There were no significant differences between groups. At intra-group analysis, there was a significant decrease in the maximal voluntary contraction (p = 0.01), by manometry, between pre- and post-session for both groups. Conclusion: The immediate effects of a single session of PFMT and NMES associated with voluntary PFM contraction are similar on PFM function, that is, no difference was found between groups.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O puerpério imediato estende-se até o 10º dia após o parto, e este período é caracterizado pelo retorno do corpo da mulher ao estado pré-gravídico. Os objetivos deste estudo foram identificar a intensidade da dor e principais desconfortos relatados pelas mulheres no puerpério imediato e analisar a diferença dos desconfortos puerperais de acordo com a paridade e tipo de parto. MÉTODOS: Participaram deste estudo 107 puérperas assistidas em uma maternidade pública. A dor e os desconfortos foram avaliados por meio da ficha de avaliação fisioterapêutica semiestruturada, e a intensidade da dor foi mensurada com a escala analógica visual. Os testes de Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis foram aplicados para identificar diferenças no desconforto a partir do tipo de parto e paridade. RESULTADOS: Dor em cólica relacionada à amamentação de intensidade 4,81±2,52 foi referida por 55,14% das puérperas, dor perineal de intensidade 4,06±2,09 foi referida por 30,84%, lombalgia de intensidade 4,38±2,09 foi referida por 28,97%, dor nas mamas de intensidade 4,76±2,63 foi referida por 23,36% e dor relacionada a cesariana de intensidade 5,21±2,01 por 17,75%. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas na intensidade da dor de acordo com a paridade. No entanto, foram encontradas diferenças significativas para intensidade da dor perineal e incisão da cesariana. CONCLUSÃO: A intensidade da dor avaliada pela escala analógica visual foi classificada como moderada ou leve.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The immediate puerperium extends until the 10th day after delivery, and this period is characterized by the return of the woman’s body to the pre-pregnancy state. The aims of the study were to identify pain intensity and the major discomforts reported by women in the immediate puerperium period and to analyze the difference in puerperal discomfort according to parity and type of delivery. METHODS: The participants included 107 women attended in a public maternity ward. Pain and discomfort were assessed using the semi-structured physical therapy assessment form and pain intensity was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied to identify differences in discomfort according to the type of parity and delivery. RESULTS: Colic pain related to breastfeeding with 4.81±2.52 intensity was reported by 55.14% of mothers in the puerperium, perineal pain with 4,06±2,09 intensity by 30.84%, low back pain with 4.38±2.09 intensity by 28.97%, breast pain with 4.76±2.63 intensity by 23.36% and cesarean related pain with 5.21±2.01 intensity was reported by 17.75% of mothers. No significant differences in pain intensity were found according to parity. However, significant differences were found for perineal pain intensity and cesarean section. CONCLUSION: Pain intensity evaluated by the visual analog scale was classified as moderate or light.