Reliability of dynamometric passive properties of the pelvic floor muscles in postmenopausal women with stress urinary incontinence

Abstract

This new approach for assessing PFM passive properties showed enough reliability for highly recommending its inclusion in the PFM assessment of SUI postmenopausal women.

The impact of a familiarization session on the magnitude and stability of active and passive pelvic floor muscle forces measured through intravaginal dynamometry

“…While we did not find an effect of task familiarization on passive PFM resistance across sessions, as with our own previous research and that of Morin et al, within sessions we found that resistance to passive stretch applied by the dynamometer, was significantly lower in subsequent repetitions than it was in the initial trial (see Table caption). This finding is important to protocol development when evaluating the stiffness or resistance to passive stretching of the PFMs using intravaginal dynamometry.…”

“…Dysfunction of the mechanical properties of the female pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) is thought to contribute to a wide array of urogynecological disorders known to impair quality of life such as urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and dyspareunia . Intravaginal dynamometry is recognized as an optimal tool to quantify active and passive pelvic floor tissue properties . Relative measures of PFM force generating capacity acquired by intravaginal dynamometry have demonstrated excellent reliability and correlate strongly with manual measures of PFM strength, the current standard for clinical assessment of the female PFMs.…”

Randomized clinical trial of multimodal physiotherapy treatment compared to overnight lidocaine ointment in women with provoked vestibulodynia: Design and methods

“…Pain intensity (NRS) a [34] Average pain intensity reported during sexual intercourse Dynamometry [47], [48], [49], [50], [51], [52], [53] and [54] PFM function Several secondary outcomes are assessed in this study, in line with the IMMPACT consensus recommending a multi-facetted evaluation of pain, and also an evaluation of the impact of pain on function [34]. For each outcome we have selected measure instruments that have excellent validity, reliability and responsiveness to change.…”

“…Using this validated and reliable methodology [44], [45] and [46], several parameters are evaluated at rest and during PFM contraction: levator hiatus area and diameter, bladder neck positioning and displacement as well as levator plate and anorectal angles. An intravaginal dynamometric speculum, developed by our team to evaluate PFM function [47], [48], [49] and [50], is also used in this trial. This instrument has been widely assessed for its psychometric properties including its reliability, validity and responsiveness [49], [50], [51], [52], [53] and [54].…”

“…An intravaginal dynamometric speculum, developed by our team to evaluate PFM function [47], [48], [49] and [50], is also used in this trial. This instrument has been widely assessed for its psychometric properties including its reliability, validity and responsiveness [49], [50], [51], [52], [53] and [54]. PFM dysfunctions identified in women with PVD, namely heightened passive forces, stiffness and lower strength, speed of contraction and endurance [11], are evaluated in this trial.…”