Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Midwifery, Nursing and Midwifery School, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran;
2
Community‑Oriented Nursing Midwifery Research Center, Nursing and Midwifery School, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran;
3
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
10.30476/ijcbnm.2024.101743.2441
Abstract
Physical activity is one of the healthiest activities that can effectively reduce the risk of sexual disorders.
Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effect of yoga and pelvic floor muscle
exercises on the sexual function and sexual self-esteem of reproductive-age women.
Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted from September to December 2023 on 46
women of reproductive age working in the Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences and its affiliated health
centers. Multi-stage cluster sampling was used to select the subjects; later, they were randomly divided into
two intervention groups A (N=21) and B (N=25). Participants in intervention groups A and B performed
pelvic floor muscle exercises at home using an educational pamphlet 3 times a week for 6 weeks, with 3 times
a day repetition. In addition, women in the intervention group A participated in a yoga training program for
2 sessions per week for 6 weeks. Data collection tools included a demographic information form, the Female
Sexual Function Index, and Sexual Self-Esteem Inventory for women. Questionnaires were completed by
both groups before, immediately, and one month after the intervention. The data were analyzed using the
chi-square test, fisher’s exact test, independent two-sample t-test, repeated measures test, and analysis of
covariance in SPSS software version 16. A significance level of less than 0.05 was considered.
Results: The results showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups in sexual
function (P=0.21) and sexual self-esteem (P=0.22) scores before the intervention. Also, the results showed
no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of sexual function (P=0.35) and
sexual self-esteem (P=0.59) scores one month after the intervention. However, the mean score of the sexual
function index immediately after intervention showed a statistically significant difference between the
intervention groups A (31.43±3.76) and B (29.41±2.38) (P<0.001). The mean score of the sexual self-esteem
immediately after the intervention showed a statistically significant difference between the intervention
groups A (181.19±19.90) and B (171.32±15.02) (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Adding yoga exercises to pelvic floor muscle exercises can improve the sexual function and
sexual self-esteem of women at their reproductive age.
Trial Registration Number: IRCT20100524004015N1.
Keywords
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