Pelvic floor muscle function in women presenting with pelvic floor disorders

Objective. The objective of this study was to compare the role of the pelvic floor muscles between nulliparous and multiparous women in the third trimester of pregnancy, by analyzing the relationship between electrical activity (surface electromyography—EMG), vaginal palpation (modified Oxford scale), and perineal distensibility (Epi-no). Methods. This was an observational cross-sectional study on a sample of 60 healthy pregnant women with no cervical dilation, single fetus, gestational age between 35 and 40 weeks, and maternal age ranging from 15 to 40 years. The methods used were bidigital palpation (modified Oxford scale, graded 0–5), surface EMG (electrical activity during maximal voluntary contraction), and perineal distensibility (Epi-no device). The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was used to analyze the Epi-no values and the surface EMG findings. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the median values from surface EMG and Epi-no, using the modified Oxford scale scores. Results. Among the 60 patients included in this study, 30 were nulliparous and 30 multiparous. The average maternal age and gestational age were 26.06 (±5.58) and 36.56 (±1.23), respectively. It was observed that nulliparous women had both higher perineal muscle strength (2.53 ± 0.57 versus 2.06 ± 0.64; P = 0.005) and higher electrical activity (45.35 ± 12.24 μV versus 35.79 ± 11.66 μV; P = 0.003), while among the multiparous women, distensibility was higher (19.39 ± 1.92 versus 18.05 ± 2.14; P = 0.013). We observed that there was no correlation between perineal distensibility and electrical activity during maximal voluntary contraction (r = − 0.193; P = 0.140). However, we found a positive relationship between vaginal palpation and surface electromyography (P = 0.008), but none between Epi-no values (P = 0.785). Conclusion. The electrical activity and muscle strength of the pelvic floor muscles of the multiparous women were damaged, in relation to the nulliparous women, while the perineal distensibility was lower in the latter group. There was a positive relationship between surface EMG and the modified Oxford scale.

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“…Moen et al [12] found that women with advanced age and high parity had lower scores during the evaluation, which agrees with our study.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…In relation to the scale, scores of 2.0 refer to low-intensity contraction with little sustainment. According to the literature, patients who reach values of 3.0 onwards, without recruitment of other muscle groups, present proper muscle contraction [12]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distensibility and Strength of the Pelvic Floor Muscles of Women in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Petricelli

Resende

Elito

et al. 2014

BioMed Research International

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“…Patients with an adequate PF contraction should be given at least a 3 on the scale [20]. In our study, pregnant women presented less muscle strength than nonpregnant women (p<0.05).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 59%

Electromyographic evaluation of pelvic floor muscles in pregnant and nonpregnant women

et al. 2012

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“…Apesar de a maioria das mulheres com desordens do assoalho pélvico ser familiarizadas com exercícios nessa região, menos de 25% são capazes de realizar adequada contração (com grau de força de três a cinco, de acordo com a escala de Oxford, e sem recrutar outros grupos musculares durante a contração), o que mostra associação de desordens e pobre função muscular do assoalho pélvico (16,17).…”

Section: Resultsunclassified

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

Pinheiro¹,

Franco²,

Feitosa³

et al. 2012

Fisioter. mov.

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Fisioter Mov. 2012 jul/set;25(3):639-48 Pinheiro BF, Franco GR, Feitosa SM, Yuaso DR, Castro RA, Girão MJBC. 640 decorrer da pesquisa. Observou-se que houve melhora estatisticamente signi icativa em ambos os grupos em relação a Power, Endurance, Fast e conhecimentos acerca da região perineal, porém não houve diferença signi icativa entre os dois grupos, ou seja, ambos os recursos são igualmente e icazes. Conclusão: Diante dos resultados apresentados, podemos concluir que tanto a cinesioterapia com uso do biofeedback quanto a cinesioterapia com toque digital são excelentes opções de tratamento para ganho de consciência perineal.[P]Palavras-chave: Assoalho pélvico. Incontinência urinária de esforço. Conscientização. [B] Abstract Introduction: A significant number of women (around 30 to 50%) [K]

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Pelvic floor muscle function in women presenting with pelvic floor disorders

Abstract: Although most women with pelvic floor disorders are familiar with PMEs, less than one fourth could perform adequate contractions at the time of initial evaluation.

Cited by 40 publications

References 13 publications

Distensibility and Strength of the Pelvic Floor Muscles of Women in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Distensibility and Strength of the Pelvic Floor Muscles of Women in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Electromyographic evaluation of pelvic floor muscles in pregnant and nonpregnant women

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

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