Bertrand Gachon1, Antoine Nordez2,3, Fabrice Pierre4, Laetitia Fradet5, Xavier Fritel4,6,7, David Desseauve4. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, La Miletrie University Hospital, 2 rue de la Miletrie CS90577, 86021, Poitiers Cedex, France. bertrand.gachon@chu-poitiers.fr. 2. Laboratory "Movement, Interactions, Performance" (EA 4334), Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Nantes, Nantes, France. 3. Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand. 4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, La Miletrie University Hospital, 2 rue de la Miletrie CS90577, 86021, Poitiers Cedex, France. 5. Institut PPrime RoBioSS Unit, Poitiers University ENSMA, CNRS UPR 3346, Futuroscope, France. 6. INSERM, Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health (CESP), U1018, Gender, Sexuality and Health Team, Univ Paris-Sud, UMRS 1018, Orsay, France. 7. INSERM CIC-P 1402, La Miletrie University Hospital, Poitiers, France.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that shear wave elastography (SWE) technology might be useful for assessing the elastic properties of the pelvic floor in women. Our primary objective was to evaluate the feasibility of assessing the levator ani muscles using SWE in women. Our secondary aim was to investigate the changes in their elastic properties from rest to Valsalva maneuver. METHODS: During this prospective feasibility study in nonpregnant female volunteers, we collected data on participant age, body mass index (BMI), parity, and time since the delivery. The levator ani muscles of each participant were assessed using SWE technology at rest and during a Valsalva maneuver by measuring the shear modulus (in kilopascals). We then assessed the changes in the shear modulus at rest and during the Valsalva maneuver using a Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: Twelve parous women participated in this study. The mean time since the last delivery was 14 months, the mean age was 31 years, and mean BMI was 28 kg.m-2. All the assessments performed at rest were successfully completed, but we encountered two failures during the Valsalva maneuver. The mean shear modulus increased by a factor of more than 2 from rest to the Valsalva maneuver for both the right (16.0 vs 35.4 kPa) and left side (17.1 vs 37.6 kPa). CONCLUSIONS: An assessment of the elastic properties of the levator ani muscles is feasible for nonpregnant women. The reproducibility of the technique and its application in pregnant women and women with pelvic floor disorders must be investigated.
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that shear wave elastography (SWE) technology might be useful for assessing the elastic properties of the pelvic floor in women. Our primary objective was to evaluate the feasibility of assessing the levator ani muscles using SWE in women. Our secondary aim was to investigate the changes in their elastic properties from rest to Valsalva maneuver. METHODS: During this prospective feasibility study in nonpregnant female volunteers, we collected data on participant age, body mass index (BMI), parity, and time since the delivery. The levator ani muscles of each participant were assessed using SWE technology at rest and during a Valsalva maneuver by measuring the shear modulus (in kilopascals). We then assessed the changes in the shear modulus at rest and during the Valsalva maneuver using a Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: Twelve parous women participated in this study. The mean time since the last delivery was 14 months, the mean age was 31 years, and mean BMI was 28 kg.m-2. All the assessments performed at rest were successfully completed, but we encountered two failures during the Valsalva maneuver. The mean shear modulus increased by a factor of more than 2 from rest to the Valsalva maneuver for both the right (16.0 vs 35.4 kPa) and left side (17.1 vs 37.6 kPa). CONCLUSIONS: An assessment of the elastic properties of the levator ani muscles is feasible for nonpregnant women. The reproducibility of the technique and its application in pregnant women and women with pelvic floor disorders must be investigated.
Entities:
Keywords:
Biomechanics; Elastography; Levator ani muscle; Pelvic floor; Shear wave; Women
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