Pelvic Floor Muscle Retraining: Quantitative, Experimental, Randomized Pilot Study

Main Category: Urology / Nephrology
Also Included In: Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
Article Date: 27 Oct 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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PHILADELPHIA, PA, USA (UroToday.com) - A descriptive study compared active transvaginal stimulation (TVS) versus passive electrical stimulation (ES) in 66 female volunteers. Excluded were women with pelvic floor dysfunction such as IC, prolaspe or who had previously participated in a pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation program.

Women received verbal instructions on pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises and underwent an active 10 minute TVS session. One group performed active TS (5 mins session) and other group, passive TVS (5 mins session). This was compared to a group of women who performed 2 channel EMG biofeedback. The ability to identify, isolate, contract and relax PFM was determined using surface and intravaginal sensor EMG. TVS was more effective in assisting women in initiating a PFM contraction than the group receiving 2-channel EMG-directed biofeedback.

Statistical finding was the lack bulbocavernosus reflex and anal wink in those women who could not produce a PFMC.

Presented by Francie Bernier, PhD, RNC, at the 39th Annual Conference of the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates - October 3 - 6, 2008 - Philadelphia, PA, USA

Reported by UroToday.com Contributing Editor Diane K. Newman, MSN, CRNP, FAAN, BCIA-PMDB

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