Reliability of different electromyographic normalization methods for pelvic floor muscles assessment

Author(s)

Pereira-Baldon, Vanessa S. ^{[1, 2]} ; de Oliveira, Ana B. ^[1] ; Padilha, Juliana F. ^[1] ; Degani, Adriana M. ^[3] ; Avila, Mariana A. ^[1] ; Driusso, Patricia ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Phys Therapy Dept, Rodovia Washington Luis, Km 235, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Phys Therapy Dept, Uberlandia, MG - Brazil

^[3] Dept Phys Therapy, Kalamazoo, MI - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS; v. 39, n. 4 MAR 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Aims To evaluate the reliability of different methods to normalize pelvic floor muscles (PFM) electromyography (EMG). Methods Thirty nulliparous women (23.9 +/- 3.2 years), free from PFM dysfunction, completed two test sessions 7 days apart. For EMG normalization, signals were acquired during four different tasks using a vaginal probe in situ: PFM maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and three daily activities with increased intra-abdominal pressure (coughing, Valsalva maneuver, and abdominal contraction). The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), relative standard error of measurement (%SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC) were calculated for each variable. Results ICC values for test-retest reliability of normalization methods ranged from 0.61 to 0.95. The highest values were obtained for mean root mean square (RMS) of the abdominal contraction and peak RMS of PFM-MVC. Normalization using RMS of PFM-MVC showed the lowest values of SEM and MDC. Conclusions The normalization of EMG data is considered a fundamental part of EMG investigations. These findings suggest that the normalization of PFM-EMG by either peak RMS of PFM-MVC or mean and peak RMS of abdominal contraction has excellent reliability and it can be applied in studies involving the evaluation of young women. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/06838-4 - Pelvic floor muscle training for female urinary incontinence
• Grantee: Patricia Driusso
• Support type: Regular Research Grants