Effects of pelvic floor muscle training on strength and predictors of response in the treatment of urinary incontinence

Abstract

Pelvic floor muscle training improves continence and increases vaginal pressure measurements, but the direct correlations between these alterations are weak. A woman's response to behavioral treatment does not depend on her demographic characteristics, clinical incontinence severity, urodynamic measures, or initial pelvic floor muscle strength.

Pelvic floor muscle strength and response to pelvic floor muscle training for stress urinary incontinence

“…Hence, a high correlation between PFM strength increase and reduction in urinary leakage may not be expected. The correlation found in the present study, although statistically signi¢cant, cannot be considered strong, and corresponds with the results of Theofrastous et al [2002]. One reason for low correlation may be the fact that all 52 women were included in the correlation analysis.…”

Clinical evaluation of pelvic floor muscle function in continent and incontinent women

“…An extensive number of studies document the evaluation of pelvic £oor and bladder but fewer report on digital assessment of the pelvic £oor muscles [Brink et al, 1989;Green and Laycock, 1990;Laycock and Jerwood, 1991;Workman et al, 1993;Brink et al, 1994;Wyndaele and Van Eetvelde, 1996;Romanzi et al, 1999;Isherwood and Rane, 2000;Bo and Finckenhagen, 2001;Peschers et al, 2001b;Theofrastous et al, 2002].…”

Force–length relationship in the pelvic floor muscles under transverse vaginal distension: A method study in healthy women

“…The correlation between pelvic £oor muscle strength and the amount of loss of urine however, has been questioned [Eliasson, 2002;Theofrastous et al, 2002].…”