OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare (1) the effects of the instrument-assisted perineal stretching technique with different application protocols in combination with perineal massage and (2) the effects of the isolated techniques on the extensibility and strength of the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs). METHODS: A randomized controlled clinical trial with parallel randomization, assessor blinding, and concealed allocation was conducted in the Campus Physical Education at the Federal University of Uberlandia in Brazil. Ninety-six pregnant women (18 to 40 years of age) were allocated into 4 groups: perineal massage (PnM) group (PnM protocol for 10 minutes); instrument-assisted perineal stretching with a long static protocol for 15 minutes (IStrLS group); PnM+IStrLS group (both techniques applied in the 2 previous groups); and PnM+IStrSR group (the same techniques as used in the PnM+IStrLS group but with a short repeated protocol; 4 sets lasting 30 seconds each). Eight interventions were performed in all 4 groups twice weekly (beginning at the 34th gestational week). The primary outcome was PFM extensibility, assessed using vaginal dilator circumference, and the secondary outcome was PFM strength, assessed using vaginal manometry. RESULTS: For the PFM extensibility variable, a significant main effect of time (F[2,88] = 87.951) and group (F[3,88] = 7.193) was found. Tukey post hoc test results showed that the PnM+IStrSR group presented greater extensibility than the PnM and IStrLS groups. The PnM group showed increased PFM strength after 8 sessions compared with the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Women who were pregnant and received the combination of perineal massage and instrument-assisted perineal stretching with short repeated application had a greater increase in PFM extensibility than perineal massage and instrument-assisted perineal stretching alone.

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