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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Relationship among vaginal palpation, vaginal squeeze pressure, electromyographic and ultrasonographic variables of female pelvic floor muscles

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Author(s):
Pereira, Vanessa S. [1] ; Hirakawa, Humberto S. [2] ; Oliveira, Ana B. [1] ; Driusso, Patricia [1]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Fisioterapia, BR-13560 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Med, BR-13560 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL THERAPY; v. 18, n. 5, p. 428-434, SEP-OCT 2014.
Web of Science Citations: 8
Abstract

Background: The proper evaluation of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) is essential for choosing the correct treatment. Currently, there is no gold standard for the assessment of female PFM function. Objective: To determine the correlation between vaginal palpation, vaginal squeeze pressure, and electromyographic and ultrasonographic variables of the female PFM. Method: This cross-sectional study evaluated 80 women between 18 and 35 years of age who were nulliparous and had no pelvic floor dysfunction. PFM function was assessed based on digital palpation, vaginal squeeze pressure, electromyographic activity, bilateral diameter of the bulbocavernosus muscles and the amount of bladder neck movement during voluntary PFM contraction using transperineal bi-dimensional ultrasound. The Pearson correlation was used for statistical analysis (p<0.05). Results: There was a strong positive correlation between PFM function and PFM contraction pressure (0.90). In addition, there was a moderate positive correlation between these two variables and PFM electromyographic activity (0.59 and 0.63, respectively) and movement of the bladder neck in relation to the pubic symphysis (0.51 and 0.60, respectively). Conclusions: This study showed that there was a correlation between vaginal palpation, vaginal squeeze pressure, and electromyographic and ultrasonographic variables of the PFM in nulliparous women. The strong correlation between digital palpation and PFM contraction pressure indicated that perineometry could easily be replaced by PFM digital palpation in the absence of equipment. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 11/21409-9 - Influence of obesity on function, electromyographic activity and biometry of female pelvic floor muscle
Grantee:Patricia Driusso
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants