Pelvic floor muscle exercise for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence: I. Reliability of vaginal pressure measurements of pelvic floor muscle strength

Abstract

The reliability of measurements of pelvic floor muscle strength using a vaginal balloon catheter connected to a pressure transducer was tested in 28 healthy women, mean age 32.3 years (21-50).Fourteen women (group 1) performed three pelvic floor muscle contractions in three series with reinstallation of the balloon catheter to the same vaginal position between each series. Additionally, retest was done after a period of 2 wceks. Reproducibility of the results was tested in another similar group of 14 women (group 2) who did a 1 day test.In the first group the maximum contraction value (resting pressure not included) varied from 5 to 40 cm H,O. However, the median difference value of the three series tested on two different days was only 3, 1, and 1 cm H,O, respectively. The two groups of women demonstrated similar values of vaginal pressure measurements. Thus, a balloon with a given vaginal position for measurements of pelvic floor muscle strength gives reliable pressure recordings. Abbreviations used: PFM = pelvic floor muscles; SUI = stress urinary incontinence. 0 1990 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Correlation between maximum voluntary contraction and endurance measured by digital palpation and manometry: An observational study

“…31 In the present study, all women who were able to contract the PFM correctly were included, and only contractions with a simultaneous inward movement of the catheter or perineum were considered valid. 13 Measurements of vaginal squeeze pressure depend on the vaginal probe that is used. Differences may arise due to the length and diameter of the probes, straining, a learning effect or different placement of the devices inside the vagina.…”

“…11,12 The measurement of vaginal pressure has been considered a reproducible method. 13,14 However, practitioners should be aware that increased intra-abdominal pressure might occur during the evaluation and influence the results. Thus, this method should not be used alone.…”

“…Thus, this method should not be used alone. 13 Considering that both digital and manometric methods are able to provide information with respect to maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and endurance, a strong correlation between these variables can be expected. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate this correlation, as measured by digital palpation and manometry.…”

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

“…A standardised test procedure as described by Bo et al [15] was used. The balloon catheter was compressed by an estimated 10% to allow for air expansion at body temperature and then connected to the silicon tubing of the Peritron [16]. The participant inserted the balloon sensor up to a mark, so that the middle of the balloon sensor was 3.5 cm from the introitus [17].…”

“…The participant was instructed to contract the PFM as hard as possible and then to relax without pressing the perineum downwards. Contractions were accepted as correct, when the PI assessed that no visible co-contraction of hip adductor, gluteal or rectus abdominus muscles (posterior pelvic tilt) took place and the catheter was drawn inwards while the participant performed the PFM contraction [16]. The method has been tested for intratester reproducibility and has been found to be reliablei [14,18] Procedure: Two sets of 3 maximum voluntary contractions of the PFM were recorded.…”