Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington
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“Squeeze and Lift”: A Design Ethnography of Learning and Teaching Pelvic Floor Exercises

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posted on 2021-11-23, 14:12 authored by Barnard, Ruth Emma

Pelvic floor exercises are an important practice in the prevention and resolution of pelvic floor disorder. However, pelvic floor exercises are often not practiced regularly or correctly which puts women at high risk of experiencing pelvic floor disorder symptoms. These symptoms are debilitating in terms of physical and mental health, and when ignored can worsen over time. In particular, pregnant and postnatal women are at the most risk of this disorder and still do not practice the exercises as required. This study identifies the lack of correct and regular exercises being practiced as a complex social and cultural issue which is best explored with ethnographic design research. The use of semi structured interviews, narrative analysis and informational probes enabled an open ended exploration of pregnant and postnatal women‟s experiences with learning and practicing pelvic floor exercises. Health professionals experience with teaching pelvic floor exercises has also been explored and findings have shown that to assist regular and correct exercise there is a need for professional diagnosis and guidance, suitable to each women‟s health, lifestyle, and way of learning. Themes in the findings included; Safety and Professional Support, Teaching PFX with Metaphor, Integrating PFX into Daily Life and Device Concerns and Feedback. Design recommendations which correspond to each of these themes were formed. Discussion of these findings using background literature also gave crucial context to this study, underscoring overarching key themes of education and empowerment which future pelvic floor exercise designs should embrace. Finally, this study addresses the strengths and weaknesses of an ethnographic design research approach in informing the development of future designs and systems for healthcare, and opens spaces for future work.

History

Copyright Date

2017-01-01

Date of Award

2017-01-01

Publisher

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Rights License

Author Retains Copyright

Degree Discipline

Design

Degree Grantor

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Degree Level

Masters

Degree Name

Master of Design

ANZSRC Type Of Activity code

970112 Expanding Knowledge in Built Environment and Design

Victoria University of Wellington Item Type

Awarded Research Masters Thesis

Language

en_NZ

Victoria University of Wellington School

School of Design

Advisors

Caudwell, Catherine; Rodriguez, Edgar; Baartman, Viv