AIMS: The continence mechanisms depend on the integrity of the pelvic floor muscles. It is therefore important to find simple, reliable, and safe methods to assess its contractility in a clinical setting. This study aims to investigate if digital palpation of the pelvic floor muscles presents correlation with its electromyographic activity. METHODS: The sample consisted of 307 women with mean age of 23.93 years, including 39 nulliparous, 117 primigravid pregnant, 64 primiparous, in post-vaginal delivery, and 87 primiparous women, in post-cesarean section delivery. The assessment consisted of both digital palpation and surface electromyography. One, and the same, highly skilled and experienced physiotherapist, who was able to classify the different grades of contractility accurately, performed digital palpation using the Modified Oxford Grading Scale. Surface electromyography was performed using an intravaginal probe. For electromyography evaluation, three contractions of 5 sec each were recorded, and an average of three Root Mean squares was considered for analysis. Spearman's Coefficient, Jonckheere-Terpstra Test, Kruskal-Wallis as well as Dunn Test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The strong correlation found between the two methods (P < 0.001) indicates that both digital palpation and electromyography can be used in everyday practice, both for clinical use and scientific research, although both have their specific limitations and requirements to avoid the risk of biases. CONCLUSION: There was a correlation between pelvic floor muscle contractility measured by surface electromyography and by digital palpation. Both methods can be used to validate data in research and clinical setting.
AIMS: The continence mechanisms depend on the integrity of the pelvic floor muscles. It is therefore important to find simple, reliable, and safe methods to assess its contractility in a clinical setting. This study aims to investigate if digital palpation of the pelvic floor muscles presents correlation with its electromyographic activity. METHODS: The sample consisted of 307 women with mean age of 23.93 years, including 39 nulliparous, 117 primigravid pregnant, 64 primiparous, in post-vaginal delivery, and 87 primiparous women, in post-cesarean section delivery. The assessment consisted of both digital palpation and surface electromyography. One, and the same, highly skilled and experienced physiotherapist, who was able to classify the different grades of contractility accurately, performed digital palpation using the Modified Oxford Grading Scale. Surface electromyography was performed using an intravaginal probe. For electromyography evaluation, three contractions of 5 sec each were recorded, and an average of three Root Mean squares was considered for analysis. Spearman's Coefficient, Jonckheere-Terpstra Test, Kruskal-Wallis as well as Dunn Test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The strong correlation found between the two methods (P < 0.001) indicates that both digital palpation and electromyography can be used in everyday practice, both for clinical use and scientific research, although both have their specific limitations and requirements to avoid the risk of biases. CONCLUSION: There was a correlation between pelvic floor muscle contractility measured by surface electromyography and by digital palpation. Both methods can be used to validate data in research and clinical setting.
Authors: Flávia Ignácio Antonio Vassimon; Cristine Homsi Jorge Ferreira; Wellington Paula Martins; Rui Alberto Ferriani; Roberta Leopoldino de Andrade Batista; Kari Bo Journal: Int Urogynecol J Date: 2015-10-17 Impact factor: 2.894
Authors: Lieschen H Quiroz; Stephanie D Pickett; Jennifer D Peck; Ghazaleh Rostaminia; Daniel E Stone; S Abbas Shobeiri Journal: Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg Date: 2017 Mar/Apr Impact factor: 2.091
Authors: Vanessa P Palmezoni; Marília D Santos; Janser M Pereira; Bruno T Bernardes; Vanessa S Pereira-Baldon; Ana Paula M Resende Journal: Int Urogynecol J Date: 2016-07-27 Impact factor: 2.894