Data Sheet 1_Clinical effects of integrated Chinese medicine therapy for postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction: a prospective patient-preference cohort study.docx

ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Dabu-Yuanjian Tisheng formula combined with acupoint stimulation for postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) compared with single-modality and standard rehabilitation.
MethodsThis prospective, patient-preference observational study enrolled 212 postpartum women diagnosed with PFD, who chose one of four management options after standardized counseling. Group A received Dabu-Yuanjian Tisheng formula alone, Group B acupoint stimulation alone, Group C the combined therapy, and Group D standard electrical stimulation with biofeedback. Quota sampling targeted 53 participants per group. The 8-week intervention evaluated changes in POP-Q staging, urinary incontinence symptoms (ICIQ-SF), vaginal dynamic pressure, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores; pelvic floor muscle strength (Modified Oxford Scale) was assessed to characterize severity. Between-group comparisons used ANCOVA for continuous variables and proportional-odds models for ordinal outcomes, adjusted for prespecified covariates and baseline values. Missing data were handled via multiple imputation.
ResultsA total of 212 participants (53 per group) were analyzed. Baseline characteristics were generally comparable. All groups showed significant pre- to post-treatment improvement across major outcomes (all p < 0.00001). After adjustment, selecting the combined therapy (Group C) was associated with the most favorable improvements across measured outcomes. Vaginal dynamic pressure improved more in Group C than in Group A (mean + 3.59, p < 0.00001) and Group B (+ 2.21, p = 0.0340); Group D improved more than Group A (+ 2.30, p = 0.0277). For bladder neck–symphysis distance (BSD), Group C improved more than Group A (+ 0.172, p = 0.00209) and Group B (+ 0.246, p < 0.00001). Reductions in ICIQ-SF and TCM scores showed similar patterns, with Group C achieving the largest gains (all p < 0.00001). POP-Q staging distribution differed significantly among groups (p < 0.00001), favoring Group C. Sensitivity analyses confirmed robustness, with > 97% power for detecting clinically relevant differences.
ConclusionIn this patient-preference cohort, the choice of Dabu-Yuanjian Tisheng formula combined with acupoint stimulation was associated with greater improvements in postpartum PFD outcomes compared to single-modality or standard rehabilitation. However, because treatment allocation was non-randomized and residual confounding cannot be excluded, these findings should be interpreted as supportive comparative evidence rather than definitive proof of superiority.