Measurement of pelvic floor muscular strength with the Colpexin pull test: a comparative study

Abstract

CPT is an objective measure of pelvic floor strength and provides consistent, reproducible results.

Quantification of pelvic floor muscle strength in female urinary incontinence: A systematic review and comparison of contemporary methodologies

“…The Colpexin pull test applies force to the pelvic floor via a sphere attached to a force gauge tensiometer. The sphere is inserted into the vagina and pulled at a steady rate until it is removed from the vagina against resistance from PFM concentric contraction . The maximum force determined by the tensiometer prior to removal of the sphere is the measured value of PFM strength.…”

“…The maximum force determined by the tensiometer prior to removal of the sphere is the measured value of PFM strength. Jean‐Michel et al present this as a direct objective measure of PFM strength, but also discuss the limitations of sphere size, and inability to detect asymmetry or to rule out accessory muscle use …”

“…The sphere is inserted into the vagina and pulled at a steady rate until it is removed from the vagina against resistance from PFM concentric contraction. 13 The maximum force determined by the tensiometer prior to removal of the sphere is the measured value of PFM strength. Jean-Michel et al present this as a direct objective measure of PFM strength, but also discuss the limitations of sphere size, and inability to detect asymmetry or to rule out accessory muscle use.…”

“…In order to measure PFM strength, Kegel developed objective instrumentation in the perineometer . As research in this field evolved new methods of measuring PFM strength have emerged, however, there is no current gold standard methodology for quantifying PFM strength …”

“…7,8 As research in this field evolved new methods of measuring PFM strength have emerged, however, there is no current gold standard methodology for quantifying PFM strength. [9][10][11][12][13] In sports medicine and kinesiology, the gold standard measure for strength of voluntary skeletal muscle is the 1 repetition maximum (1RM), defined as the maximum amount of force a muscle can overcome in one contraction. [14][15][16] This method of assessment is easily applied in environments with accessible weights and does not require highly specialized training to perform.…”