Effects of the Newman nursing model on quality of life and pelvic floor muscle recovery in patients with postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effects of the Newman nursing model on the quality of life and pelvic floor muscle recovery in patients with postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction. Methods: Eighty-eight patients with postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction treated from January to April 2023 were divided into observation and control groups (n=44) using a random number table. The control group was given routine nursing, based on which the observation group was given Newman nursing. The quality of life was assessed by the Short Form-36 Health Status Questionnaire. The pelvic floor function was evaluated using the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 (PEIQ7) and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POPQ). Results: After intervention, the scores of role physical, language communication, physical functioning, social functioning and motor functioning of the observation group were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). The Self-rating Anxiety Scale and Self-rating Depression Scale scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group. The awareness rate of disease knowledge of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The observation group had higher class I and class II muscle fiber potentials, whereas lower class I and class II muscle fiber fatigue degrees than those of the control group (P<0.05). The PEIQ7 and POPQ scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Newman nursing helps improve the pelvic floor function, quality of life and awareness of the disease knowledge, and relieve anxiety, depression and other adverse emotions.