TOPIC

Women's health research

Everything we have read on women's health. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

137 PAPERS · PAGE 1 OF 3 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTRNSurvey2017The Prevalence, Subtypes and Obstetric Risk Factors of Urinary Incontinence in Reproductive Age Women Referred to Community Health Care Centers of Dezful, Iran- 2015.International journal of community based nursing and midwiferyOver half of reproductive-age women attending community health centers in Iran reported urinary incontinence, yet only 0.85% sought help. Mixed incontinence was the most common subtype. Vaginal delivery and irregular menstruation were significant risk factors, while regular menstruation was protective.
• PTRCT2018Acculturation and Physical Activity Among Latinas Enrolled in a 12-Month Walking Intervention.Western journal of nursing researchLower levels of some acculturation and assimilation dimensions were linked to more moderate-to-vigorous activity in postpartum Latinas. The walking group also had more activity than controls at 6 and 12 months.
• PTRNSurvey2018The Relationship between Fear-Avoidance Beliefs and Pain in Pregnant Women with Pelvic Girdle Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study.International journal of community based nursing and midwiferyIn pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain, higher fear-avoidance beliefs were linked with more severe pain. Multiparous women reported higher fear-avoidance scores than primiparous women.
• PTOTRNRCT2020Effect of Delirium on Physical Function in Noncardiac Thoracic Surgery Patients.American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care NursesDelirium after major noncardiac thoracic surgery did not significantly change muscle strength scores. Patients with delirium had lower self-reported independence at discharge, but this was a secondary outcome in a small analysis.
• PTRNQualitative2021The Experiences of Women who Live with Pelvic Floor Disorders: A Qualitative Study.International journal of community based nursing and midwiferyWomen with pelvic floor disorders described accepting and tolerating symptoms by hiding them, reducing social and religious activities, managing painful sex, changing diet, timing diuretic pills, and seeking family support.
• PTCase-Control2023Association between timing and duration of breech presentation during pregnancy and developmental dysplasia of the hip: A case-control study.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityTerm children whose breech position was recorded from 37.0 weeks to birth had a more than three times higher risk of developmental dysplasia of the hip. Earlier breech alone did not raise risk, and longer breech exposure raised risk further.
• PTRNRCT2022Effectiveness of systemic acupuncture in the control of urinary incontinence following radical prostatectomy: a randomized clinical trial.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PAdding acupuncture to pelvic floor training after radical prostatectomy produced lower measured urine leakage at four and eight weeks than training alone. Both groups improved, so the training itself mattered.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2022Beneficial Effects of Maternal Physical Activity during Pregnancy on Fetal, Newborn, and Child Health: Guidelines for Interventions during the Perinatal Period from the French National College of Midwives.Journal of midwifery & women's healthRegular moderate physical activity during pregnancy improves fetal heart rate variability and child neurodevelopment, including language and motor skills. Strict bed rest does not prevent preterm birth and increases maternal stress, mood disorders, and guilt without clinical benefit.
• PTOTRNQualitative2023Unmet needs, limited access: A qualitative study of postpartum health care experiences of people with disabilities.Journal of advanced nursingDisabled parents described postpartum care as fragmented and often inadequate. They said providers shifted attention to newborns, missed pain and recovery needs, gave unhelpful breastfeeding advice, and made them fear home visits. Some occupational therapy and home nursing supports helped.
• PTRNMeta-Analysis2024Clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine therapy for female stress urinary incontinence: a meta-analysis.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PAdding TCM therapies (acupuncture, moxibustion, acupressure, decoction) to pelvic floor muscle training reported better symptom relief and quality of life than pelvic floor training alone in small unblinded trials of women with stress urinary incontinence.
• PTRNQualitative2025Exploring women's bladder self-care practices: A qualitative secondary analysis.Journal of advanced nursingWomen described limiting fluids, doing pelvic floor exercises, avoiding public toilets, using pads, and self-treating UTIs to manage bladder health. Some practices were reported as helpful, others as ineffective, so ask patients what they are doing before advising.
• PTRNRCT2025Group-based pelvic floor muscle training for pregnant women: A randomized controlled feasibility study.Journal of advanced nursingGroup pelvic floor training was feasible for pregnant women, but scheduling around antenatal checks reduced attendance. Women liked peer support and home reminders. Postpartum symptom scores were lower, but this small feasibility study cannot prove benefit.
• PTRNSystematic Review2024Pelvic floor muscle training in men with post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence: a scoping review.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemOnly four of 24 protocols fully described pelvic floor muscle training after prostatectomy. Several omitted contraction intensity, muscle exercised, and relaxation time. Common details were starting within 15 days and up to three daily sessions.
• PTRNOther2025Influence of the Practice of the Pilates Method on Pain Perception During Pregnancy: A Quasiexperimental Study.Journal of midwifery & women's healthPrenatal classes plus four weeks of Pilates was associated with lower pelvic and abdominal pain risk than classes alone. Lumbar pain reports decreased in the Pilates group. Dorsal pain did not differ. Self-selection limits certainty.
• PTRNQualitative2026Perspectives and Beliefs Surrounding Postpartum Care and Physical Activity of South Asian Immigrant Women in Canada.The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieresSouth Asian immigrant mothers in Canada often count housework and childcare as their physical activity, while viewing leisure exercise as optional or guilt-inducing. They relied on online sources for postpartum exercise advice and found outdoor walking limited by cold weather.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2026Identifying types of non-pharmacological interventions administered by healthcare providers for older adults with neurocognitive disorders who have lower urinary tract symptoms: A scoping review.Japan journal of nursing science : JJNSNon-drug continence care for older adults with neurocognitive disorders and urinary symptoms was mapped into individualized, behavioral, cognitive, and educational interventions across 18 studies. As severity increased, care shifted from self-management to caregiver-led and technology-assisted support.
• PTCase Report2026Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis Presenting With Paraplegia and a Neurogenic Bladder: A Case Report and Brief Literature Review.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationA 12-year-old with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and urinary retention regained walking and voiding after steroids, antivirals, antibiotics, catheter training, leg rehabilitation, tibial nerve stimulation and pelvic floor work. Natural recovery and these other treatments mean this is not proof of benefit.
• PTSurvey2016Knowledge of the pelvic floor in menopausal women and in peripartum women.Journal of physical therapy scienceWomen around childbirth and women after menopause rated their pelvic floor knowledge as limited. Many felt badly informed and wanted more information. Postmenopausal women often received pelvic floor education late.
• PTSurvey2016Assessment of lower urinary tract symptoms in different stages of menopause.Journal of physical therapy sciencePerimenopausal women had the greatest urinary incontinence impact, and stress leakage and urgency were common. This study did not test treatment.
• PTPilot2016Preliminary validation of an exercise program suitable for pregnant women with abnormal glucose metabolism: inhibitory effects of Tai Chi Yuttari-exercise on plasma glucose elevation.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 12 young nonpregnant women wearing a weighted backpack, seated Tai Chi in a 60-minute session after a sugary meal lowered plasma glucose by 1.66 mg/dl, while resting raised it by 9.42 mg/dl. This is a preliminary signal, not evidence for pregnant patients.
• PTRCT2017Effect of belly dancing on urinary incontinence-related muscles and vaginal pressure in middle-aged women.Journal of physical therapy scienceMiddle-aged women with urinary incontinence who did belly dancing 90 minutes twice weekly for 12 weeks had higher measured pelvic floor contraction pressure and longer contraction time than before. The control group did not change.
• PTOTCohort2017Parkinsonian signs are a risk factor for falls.Gait & postureOlder adults with mild parkinsonian signs were more likely to fall during follow-up, even after common fall risk factors were considered. Their falls were also more likely to result in injury and emergency service use.
• PTCohort2017Implications of pain in functional activities in immediate postpartum period according to the mode of delivery and parity: an observational study.Brazilian journal of physical therapyPain at rest was mild and similar in both groups, but 42 cesarean women and 34 vaginal women reported pain-related activity limits.
• PTCase Report2017Effects of physiotherapy treatment for urinary incontinence in patient with multiple sclerosis.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn one woman with multiple sclerosis and mixed urinary incontinence, leakage and quality-of-life scores improved after a combined programme of pelvic-floor electrical stimulation, active pelvic-floor exercises, tibial-nerve stimulation, home exercises and behavioral rehabilitation. No comparison was done, so the package cannot be separated.
• PTOther2017Ingenuity for enabling the habituation of pelvic floor muscle training.Journal of physical therapy scienceWomen in a program with education, therapist-led practice, follow-up, home training, and self-recording reported better skill and incontinence scores, but no control means PFMT alone cannot be shown to work.
• PTOther2017Effects of pelvic compression belts on the kinematics and kinetics of the lower extremities during sit-to-stand maneuvers.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn healthy adults, a pelvic belt and a higher chair lowered hip movement and hip turning force while standing up. The belt increased ankle movement early, and the study did not test people with pelvic pain.
• PTRCT2017Pulsed electromagnetic field with or without exercise therapy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.Journal of physical therapy sciencePulsed electromagnetic field improved urinary symptoms, urine flow, and urine left after voiding compared with placebo in 60 men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Adding pelvic floor and aerobic exercise did not show added benefit over electromagnetic field alone.
• PTRCT2018Effect of a Postpartum Training Program on the Prevalence of Diastasis Recti Abdominis in Postpartum Primiparous Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Physical therapyA postpartum program combining pelvic floor, abdominal, back, arm, thigh, stretching and relaxation plus daily home pelvic floor training did not reduce diastasis recti prevalence compared with instruction and written information only at 6 or 12 months.
• PTCohort2018Do moderate aerobic exercise and strength training influence electromyographic biofeedback of the pelvic floor muscles in female non-athletes?Journal of physical therapy scienceOver three months, pelvic floor contraction scores rose in all three groups of female non-athletes, but the largest rise occurred in previously inactive women who started moderate gym exercise. The study did not randomize participants.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2017Evaluation of spina bifida transitional care practices in the United States.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineSpina bifida clinics vary widely in transition care. Most discuss transition with patients, but few have written protocols or confirm adult provider visits. Readiness assessments are rare, and communication between pediatric and adult teams is inconsistent.
• PTOther2018Influence of adequate pelvic floor muscle contraction on the movement of the coccyx during pelvic floor muscle training.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 63 women, adequate pelvic floor contraction was associated with more upward movement of the coccyx tip than inadequate contraction. The coccyx tip may be a self-check cue, but training effectiveness was not tested.
• PTRCT2018Pelvic floor muscle training and electrical stimulation as rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy: a randomized controlled trial.Journal of physical therapy scienceAfter radical prostatectomy, pelvic floor exercises, with or without anal electrical stimulation, did not improve pelvic floor muscle strength more than routine instructions. Urinary and sexual function worsened after surgery and recovered similarly over time in all groups.
• PTRCT2018Predictive Validity of the STarT Back Tool for Risk of Persistent Disabling Back Pain in a U.S. Primary Care Setting.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationThe STarT Back tool sorted U.S. primary care back pain patients into low, medium and high risk groups that predicted persistent disabling back pain at 6 months: 22%, 62% and 80% had it.
• PTRCT2018Effects of core strength training on core stability.Journal of physical therapy science4 weeks of core strength training in 24 normal students reduced sway during a sudden push to the back while sitting, but many other seated balance measures did not change.
• PTCohort2019Pregnancy Results in Lasting Changes in Knee Joint Laxity.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationPregnant women measured in first trimester and about 5 months postpartum had lasting knee changes, but not the expected increase. Side-to-side and posterior laxity decreased; anterior laxity increased in first-time mothers. The changes were small, and no knee arthritis outcome was measured.
• PTSLPRCT2018Prenatal nutrition, stimulation, and exposure to punishment are associated with early child motor, cognitive, language, and socioemotional development in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.Child: care, health and developmentHigh caregiver stimulation was associated with higher reported cognitive/language scores, verbal and physical punishment with lower reported socioemotional scores, and prenatal vitamin A with lower reported motor scores in 198 Tanzanian children.
• PTOther2018Effects of a facilitating device on pelvic floor muscle contraction during breathing exercises.Journal of physical therapy scienceTen healthy men sat on a small foam roller and did seven breathing exercises, focusing on pelvic floor contraction. Bladder movement measured by ultrasound increased after exercise and remained higher one month later.
• PTOTSLPMeta-Analysis2019Childhood neurodevelopment after prescription of maintenance methadone for opioid dependency in pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Developmental medicine and child neurologyAt 6 months, mental and motor score differences were small and uncertain. By age 2, exposed children scored lower on those tests, and some had abnormal visual tests. This cannot prove methadone caused it; other drug exposure and other differences were common.
• PTOther2019Relationship between transversus abdominis muscle thickness and urinary incontinence in females at 2 months postpartum.Journal of physical therapy sciencePostpartum women with urinary leakage had thinner deep abdominal (TrA) muscle when contracting, but not at rest. Only 4 women had leakage, so this is a small association, not proof that TrA exercises improve incontinence.
• PTOTOther2019Dysfunction, activity limitations, participation restriction and contextual factors in South African women with pelvic organ prolapse.The South African journal of physiotherapySouth African women awaiting prolapse surgery reported poor quality of life mainly through emotional, social and sleep problems. Physical activity limits were not the main issue. Many had heart disease or depression and rarely exercised, suggesting these lifestyle factors need addressing before pelvic floor therapy.
• PTCohort2019An International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF)-based investigation of movement impairment in women with pelvic organ prolapse.The South African journal of physiotherapyWomen awaiting pelvic organ prolapse surgery showed poor pelvic floor and abdominal muscle function, with low endurance and incorrect activation. Pelvic floor and abdominal measures correlated moderately, suggesting clinicians should assess and treat both muscle groups together rather than the pelvic floor alone.
• PTOTSLPCohort2019Pregnancy Outcomes in Women with Spinal Cord Injuries: A Population-Based Study.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationMothers with spinal cord injury, paralysis, or spina bifida faced high risks of infection, blood clots, and preterm birth. Infants were often born early or small. However, these babies did not have higher rates of hospitalization or death in their first two years compared to other infants.
• PTMeta-Analysis2019Effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions for improving erectile function and climacturia in men after prostatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Clinical rehabilitationPelvic floor muscle training alone did not show improvement in erectile function or climacturia after prostate surgery. Some results for pelvic floor muscle training plus biofeedback or plus electrical stimulation pointed toward possible improvement, but they came from very few low-quality studies.
• PTNarrative Review2019A Narrative Review of Musculoskeletal Impairments Associated With Nonspecific Chronic Pelvic Pain.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationMusculoskeletal impairments like high pelvic floor tone and poor movement are present in women with chronic pelvic pain, but evidence linking them to the pain is weak. Studies used subjective tests with poor reliability, so these findings do not yet justify specific treatments.
• PTOTCase Report2019Cryoneurotomy as a Percutaneous Mini-invasive Therapy for the Treatment of the Spastic Limb: Case Presentation, Review of the Literature, and Proposed Approach for Use.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIn three patients with chronic spasticity, cryoneurotomy of specific motor nerves improved range of motion and reduced muscle tone. In two elbow cases, this procedure allowed botulinum toxin doses to be redistributed to other muscles, yielding further functional gains.
• PTOTQualitative2020Intimate partner violence, reproductive coercion, and unintended pregnancy in women with disabilities.Disability and health journalNine women with disabilities said partners interfered with birth control or forced sex, and they linked this to unintended pregnancy. Eight of nine said health care providers never asked about abuse, even when they had visible bruises or were flagged as depressed.
• PTOTSLPCohort2020Health care service for families with children at early risk of developmental delay: an All Our Families cohort study.Developmental medicine and child neurologyChildren flagged as at risk for developmental delay did not use more health services than peers unless they received a formal diagnosis. The extra allied health costs were driven almost entirely by the diagnosed group, suggesting screening alone does not trigger service use.
• PTRCT2020Does trunk muscle training with an oscillating rod improve urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy? A prospective randomized controlled trial.Clinical rehabilitationAdding oscillating rod training to standard pelvic floor exercises reduced urine loss more than relaxation alone after three weeks. The biggest benefit was in men losing over 50 grams on a one-hour pad test, where the improvement was large.
• PTNarrative Review2019Altered musculoskeletal mechanics as risk factors for postpartum pelvic girdle pain: a literature review.Journal of physical therapy sciencePregnant women with more pelvic pain and disability, several positive pelvic provocation tests, asymmetric sacroiliac laxity, or low trunk endurance were more likely to have pelvic girdle pain persisting after childbirth. Breastfeeding, age alone, and prior back pain were inconsistent.
• PTOTOther2020Women's health guidelines for the care of people with spina bifida.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineWomen with spina bifida should be referred to physical and occupational therapy early in pregnancy to plan mobility, self-management and baby care. These are expert recommendations, not tested interventions.