Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Attendance Among High-Risk Postpartum Patients

Coralee Toal, MD, and Lauren Giugale, MD, along with UPMC Rehabilitation Institute colleagues, published a study in Urogynecology that examined pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) attendance among high-risk postpartum women, comparing those evaluated in a postpartum pelvic floor healing clinic (PPFHC) with a historical cohort. Of 464 patients, 65.1% were referred to PFPT, and 56.3% attended at least one session. While nearly all PPFHC patients (97%) were referred to PFPT, fewer attended therapy (53.5%) compared to the historical cohort (75.6%). Patients who attended PFPT showed significant improvements in pelvic floor health. The study suggests that while a PPFHC increases referrals, it doesn't necessarily improve PFPT attendance.

View the full study here.