Pelvic floor muscle evaluation in incontinent patients

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength and perception and its correlation with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). One hundred and one women were divided into two groups according to the presence (G1=51 patients) or absence (G2=50 patients) of SUI. Subjective [urine stream interruption test (UST), visual survey of perineal contraction and transvaginal digital palpation to assess pelvic muscle contraction] and objective evaluations of pelvic floor muscles in all patients were performed (vaginal manometry). During the UST, 25.5% of G1 patients and 80% of G2 patients were able to interrupt the urine stream (p<0.05). Digital evaluation of pelvic muscular contraction showed higher strength in G2 than in G1 patients (p<0.0001). Perineometer evaluation of PFM strength was significantly higher in the continent group (p<0.001). Pelvic floor muscle weakness in incontinent patients demonstrates the importance of functional and objective evaluation of this group of muscles.

A comparative analisys of pelvic floor muscle strength in women with stress and urge urinary incontinence

“…The urine stream interruption test (UST) is considered an objective method to quantify pelvic floor muscle strength (4). Using UST to assess contraction ability and pelvic floor muscle strength, we Women with weakness in perineal muscles were unable to effectively contract their PFM to inhibit detrusor contractions.…”

“…The balloon was located 1 cm from the outside of vaginal conduit, positioning the middle of the balloon 3.5 cm inside the introitus vagina (4,6). Measurement of maximum and mean squeeze pressure, and holding period in seconds were assessed in supine position.…”

Fisioterapia para consciência perineal: uma comparação entre as cinesioterapias com toque digital e com auxílio do biofeedback

“…Em um estudo de Amaro (19), utilizando a téc-nica de interromper o jato de urina para avaliar a habilidade de contração do AP em mulheres continentes e incontinentes, foi observado que apenas 25% das pacientes incontinentes e 80% das mulheres continentes conseguiam interromper o jato de urina. Isso sugere que mulheres incontinentes podem ter uma percepção mais baixa de seus AP.…”

Ethnic differences in pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance in South African women

“…In the literature, two different protocols to assess endurance were described, one being time of sustained contraction and the other, two or three sets of three maximal contractions. These two protocols have shown conflicting results on endurance regarding parity and continence [8,34]. In future studies it would be valuable to establish a validated protocol to determine endurance and to investigate the interaction between PFM endurance and overactive bladder syndrome.…”

“…Decreased PFM strength has been associated with stress urinary incontinence [7,8] and strength training of the PFM has been found to increase muscle volume, reduce muscle length, reduce the levator hiatus and lift the bladder and rectal ampulla [9]. Investigating PFM strength and endurance may contribute to the understanding of the reported differences in ethnic prevalence of different types of UI.…”