The Relationship Between Dysfunctional Breathing Patterns And Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Call Center Workers

Emine Nacar; Kevser Tunç; Gamze Çobanoğlu; Sinem Suner-keklik

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1720645

The Relationship Between Dysfunctional Breathing Patterns And Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Call Center Workers

Abstract

Objective: The diaphragm is the main respiratory muscle that attaches to the pelvic floor via the transverse fascia. It is thought that a dysfunction in breathing may also cause a dysfunction in the pelvic floor due to this connection. Therefore, the aim of our study is to examine relationship between dysfunctional breathing patterns and pelvic floor dysfunction in call center workers. Material and Methods: The study consisted of 64 individuals who had been actively working in a call center for at least a year (53 females-11 males; mean age: 27.88± 4.84; BMI: 24±6.32). Self-Evaluation of Breathing Questionnaire (SEBQ) was used to assess participants’ dysfunctional breathing patterns, and Global Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire (GPFBQ) was used to detect pelvic floor dysfunction. Results: The mean scores of call center workers were 23.92± 20.41 on the SEBQ and 7.31±8.15 on the GPFBQ. According to the results of analysis, a moderate, positive correlation was found between dysfunctional breathing patterns and pelvic floor dysfunction in call center workers (p<0.000). Conclusion: Dysfunctional breathing patterns were found to be correlated with pelvic floor dysfunction in call center workers. According to this result, it should be taken into consideration that sitting for a long time can cause not only musculoskeletal problems but also breathing and pelvic floor dysfunction problems.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None.

Ethical Statement

The approval of the Non-Invasive Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Sivas Cumhuriyet University was obtained (date: 16.02.2022; number: 2022-02/39).

Thanks

None

References

1. van Reijn-Baggen DA, Han-Geurts IJ, Voorham-van der Zalm PJ, Pelger RC, Hagenaars-van Miert CH, Laan ET. Pelvic floor physical therapy for pelvic floor hypertonicity: a systematic review of treatment efficacy. Sexual Medicine Reviews. 2021.
2. Rossetti SR. Functional anatomy of pelvic floor. Archivio Italiano di Urologia e Andrologia. 2016;88(1):28-37.
3. Sapsford R. The pelvic floor: a clinical model for function and rehabilitation. Physiotherapy. 2001;87(12):620-30.
4. Park H, Han D. The effect of the correlation between the contraction of the pelvic floor muscles and diaphragmatic motion during breathing. Journal of physical therapy science. 2015;27(7):2113-5.
5. Hodges PW, Sapsford R, Pengel LH. Postural and respiratory functions of the pelvic floor muscles. Neurourology and urodynamics. 2007;26(3):362-71.
6. Debernardi F, Fogliata A, Garassino A. Multifunctional role of the diaphragm: biomechanical analysis and new perspectives. MOJ Sports Med. 2024;7(1):9-13.
7. Bordoni B, Zanier E. Anatomic connections of the diaphragm: influence of respiration on the body system. Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare. 2013;6:281.
8. Löwhagen O. Asthma--a disease difficult to define. Patients can receive correct treatment by means of differential diagnosis criteria. Lakartidningen. 2005;102(50):3872-3, 5.

9. Courtney R, Greenwood KM, Cohen M. Relationships between measures of dysfunctional breathing in a population with concerns about their breathing. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies. 2011;15(1):24-34.
10. Kiesel K, Rhodes T, Mueller J, Waninger A, Butler R. Development of a screening protocol to identify individuals with dysfunctional breathing. International journal of sports physical therapy. 2017;12(5):774.
11. Poochada W, Chaiklieng S. Ergonomic risk assessment among call center workers. Procedia Manufacturing. 2015;3:4613-20.
12. Hatman EA, Torun SD. Occupational diseases among call center operators needing vocal rehabilitation. La Medicina del Lavoro. 2022;113(3):e2022026.
13. Cabrera AP, John C, Campang C, Plaza J. Occupational, physical and mental hazards and cognitive weariness of call center agents in selected business process outsourcing companies in cavite. Cavite State University-Main. 2019.
14. Saeidi C, Dastaran S, Musavi S. Evaluation of the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders and its relation to the workload of employees at 118 call center in Sanandaj, Iran. Health and Development Journal. 2016;5(2):110-21.
15. Kang KW, Jung SI, Do YL, Kim K, Lee NK. Effect of sitting posture on respiratory function while using a smartphone. Journal of physical therapy science. 2016;28(5):1496-8.
16. Upmanyu A, Kumar A, Kalia V. Influence of sitting time on pulmonary function in computerusing office workers. Physical Activity and Nutrition. 2024;28(1):20.
17. Oleksy Ł, Mika A, Kielnar R, Grzegorczyk J, Marchewka A, Stolarczyk A. The influence of pelvis reposition exercises on pelvic floor muscles asymmetry: A randomized prospective study. Medicine. 2019;98(2).
18. Durmaz E, NAZLICAN E, Akbaba M. Bir üniversite hastanesinde çalışan sekreterlerin kas iskelet sistemi yakınmalarının incelenmesi. Sakarya Tıp Dergisi. 2018;8(2):432-41.
19. Ataş K, Kızmaz E, Mutlu EK. The Turkish Version of the Self Evaluation of Breathing Questionnaire: Cross-cultural Adaptation, Validity and Reliability. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. 2025:1-11.
20. Mitchell A, Bacon C, Moran R. Reliability and determinants of self-evaluation of breathing questionnaire (SEBQ) score: a symptoms-based measure of dysfunctional breathing. Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback. 2016;41(1):111-20.
21. Courtney R, van Dixhoorn J. Questionnaires and manual methods for assessing breathing dysfunction. Recognizing and treating breathing disorders: A multidisciplinary approach. 2014:137-46.
22. Peterson TV, Karp DR, Aguilar VC, Davila GW. Validation of a global pelvic floor symptom bother questionnaire. International urogynecology journal. 2010;21(9):1129-35.
23. Doğan H, Özengin N, Bakar Y, Duran B. Reliability and validity of a Turkish version of the Global Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire. International urogynecology journal. 2016;27(10):1577-81.
24. Kang KW, Son SM, Ko YM. Time-varying changes in pulmonary function with exposure to prolonged sitting. Osong public health and research perspectives. 2016;7(6):382-4.
25. Yach B, Linens SW. The relationship between breathing pattern disorders and scapular dyskinesis. Athletic Training & Sports Health Care. 2019;11(2):63-70.
26. Bordoni B, Sugumar K, Leslie SW. Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis, pelvic floor. 2018.
27. Toprak N, Sen S, Yigit B. The role of diaphragmatic breathing exercise on urinary incontinence treatment: A pilot study. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2022;29:146-53.
28. Talasz H, Kofler M, Kalchschmid E, Pretterklieber M, Lechleitner M. Breathing with the pelvic floor? Correlation of pelvic floor muscle function and expiratory flows in healthy young nulliparous women. International urogynecology journal. 2010;21(4):475-81.
29. Mariani A, Gambazza S, Carta F, Ambrogi F, Brivio A, Bulfamante AM, et al. Prevalence and factors associated with urinary incontinence in females with cystic fibrosis: An Italian single‐center cross‐sectional analysis. Pediatric Pulmonology. 2022;57(1):132-41.
30. Willard F, Vleeming A, Schuenke M, Danneels L, Schleip R. The thoracolumbar fascia: anatomy, function and clinical considerations. Journal of anatomy. 2012;221(6):507-36.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , Rehabilitation

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Emine Nacar ^*
0000-0002-1172-1837
Türkiye

Kevser Tunç
0000-0002-6259-8111
Türkiye

Gamze Çobanoğlu
0000-0003-0136-3607
Türkiye

Sinem Suner-keklik
0000-0002-9506-3172
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

September 9, 2025

Publication Date

October 1, 2025

Submission Date

June 16, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 9, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 16 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1720645

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA86HA76JG

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

EndNote

Nacar E, Tunç K, Çobanoğlu G, Suner-keklik S (October 1, 2025) The Relationship Between Dysfunctional Breathing Patterns And Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Call Center Workers. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 16 4 630–635.