scholarly journals Assessment of pelvic floor and abdominal muscles three months postpartum: A reliability study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Vesting ◽  
Monika Fagevik Olsén ◽  
Annelie Gutke ◽  
Gun Rembeck ◽  
Maria EH Larsson
Keyword(s):  
Pelvic Floor ◽  
Maximal Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Pelvic Floor Muscle ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Muscle Endurance ◽  
Minimal Detectable Change ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Diastasis Recti

Abstract Background Pregnancy and childbirth often result in alterations of core muscles, and women may require postpartum assessment of pelvic floor muscle function and abdominal wall changes, e.g. diastasis recti abdominis (DRA). However, there is currently no gold standard for postpartum assessment of these muscles´ function. Here we aimed to evaluate the reliability of clinically applicable methods for assessing pelvic floor muscles and DRA after pregnancy. Methods We recruited 222 postpartum women from Swedish antenatal and childbirth centers, and via social media. Pelvic floor and DRA assessment were performed via observation and palpation at three rehabilitation centers in Sweden. At each center, two independent physiotherapists performed the assessments in random order. Results Assessment of the maximal voluntary contraction and pelvic floor muscle endurance revealed kappa values ranging from 0.49–0.69. Assessments of voluntary contraction by observation, involuntary contraction, and voluntary relaxation yielded inconsistent results, with slight-to-moderate weighted kappa values ranging from 0.10–0.51. DRA assessment by caliper yielded ICC values of 0.73–0.83 after physiotherapists underwent 2 months of training in applying this assessment method. The standard error of measurements for this method was about 4 mm, and the minimal detectable change was 12 mm. Assessments of DRA depth and bulging showed moderate kappa values of 0.43–0.51, with reservation for some inconsistency between the centers. Conclusions Palpation of maximal voluntary contraction and pelvic floor muscle endurance are reliable postpartum assessment methods. With some experience and training, a caliper is a reliable instrument for assessing the postpartum DRA width. Additional research is needed to identify a reliable assessment method for pelvic floor muscle functions other than voluntary contraction, and for DRA depth and bulging.

2. VAGINISMUS, VULVODYNIA AND PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLE ACTIVITY

Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 285
Author(s):  
R. Sapsford
Keyword(s):  
Pelvic Floor ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Pelvic Floor Muscle ◽  
Normal Function ◽  
Pelvic Floor Muscles ◽  
Abdominal Pressure ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Physiological Factors ◽  
Muscle Groups ◽  
Postural Support

The pelvic floor muscles form the base of the abdominal cylinder and work in synergy with other muscles around the cylinder - the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm. Activity in each muscle group affects the others. Coordinated recruitment of these muscle groups is necessary for generation and maintenance of intra-abdominal pressure, postural support of the trunk, and during functional tasks such as lifting, coughing and nose blowing. Coordinated release of these groups is required for micturition, while defaecation may need activity in some muscles and release in others. Vaginismus and vulvodynia both have a component of over activity of the pelvic floor muscles which impairs normal function, though this over activity may only occur at the time of attempted penetration. Some of the physiological factors that contribute to this overactivity come from outside the pelvic floor muscle complex itself and can be ameliorated by understanding and management of these muscle synergies. An EMG study of muscle activity of the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles during a simulated body posturing for female sexual arousal will help to explain how the pelvic floor muscle over activity in vaginismus arises. Treatment programmes that have been used to successfully address these problems will be explained.

Assessment of the strength of the pelvic floor musculature in women who practice Mat Pilates.

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 178
Author(s):  
Marklana Da Frota Diniz ◽  
Thiago Brasileiro De Vasconcelos ◽  
Juliana Lerche Vieira Rocha Pires ◽  
Marineide Meireles Nogueira ◽  
Giselle Notini Arcanjo
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Pelvic Floor ◽  
Pelvic Floor Muscle ◽  
The Body ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Character Study ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Pilates Method ◽  
Types Of Muscle Fibers

Introduction: The Pilates Method is a program of physical and mental training that works the body as a whole, aiming to gain muscle strength, mainly at the central region formed by the abdominal muscles, spine and pelvic floor, and to promote stretching and flexibility. Objective: To investigate the effects of this technique in the pelvic floor muscle activity, noting the type of fiber was more work during the practice of this activities in soil (Mat Pilates). Method: It was a character study of interventional, observational, descriptive, conducted during the months from March to May 2011, in which six women aged between 35 and 65 years, who underwent Mat Pilates classes twice a week, was rated the strength of pelvic floor, by Perina®perineometer pressure before and after the eight classes. Results: It was observed that all the volunteers had gained in strength in both types of muscle fibers, and 84% (p < 0.05) had greater gain in type 2 fibers. Conclusion: The Mat Pilates to increase the influence of the pelvic floor muscle strength it and can be used to prevent dysfunctions dysfunction of these muscles.

Electromyographic Evaluation of Abdominal-Muscle Function With and Without Concomitant Pelvic-Floor-Muscle Contraction

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nahid Tahan ◽  
Amir Massoud Arab ◽  
Bita Vaseghi ◽  
Khosro Khademi
Keyword(s):  
Pelvic Floor ◽  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Pelvic Floor Muscle ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Emg Signal

Context:Coactivation of abdominal and pelvic-floor muscles (PFM) is an issue considered by researchers recently. Electromyography (EMG) studies have shown that the abdominal-muscle activity is a normal response to PFM activity, and increase in EMG activity of the PFM concomitant with abdominal-muscle contraction was also reported.Objective:The purpose of this study was to compare the changes in EMG activity of the deep abdominal muscles during abdominal-muscle contraction (abdominal hollowing and bracing) with and without concomitant PFM contraction in healthy and low-back-pain (LBP) subjects.Design:A 2 × 2 repeated-measures design.Setting:Laboratory.Participants:30 subjects (15 with LBP, 15 without LBP).Main Outcome Measures:Peak rectified EMG of abdominal muscles.Results:No difference in EMG of abdominal muscles with and without concomitant PFM contraction in abdominal hollowing (P = .84) and abdominal bracing (P = .53). No difference in EMG signal of abdominal muscles with and without PFM contraction between LBP and healthy subjects in both abdominal hollowing (P = .88) and abdominal bracing (P = .98) maneuvers.Conclusion:Adding PFM contraction had no significant effect on abdominal-muscle contraction in subjects with and without LBP.

The effect of a stimulus on pelvic floor muscle during voluntary contraction using a facilitating device

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. e44-e45
Author(s):  
A. Kubota ◽  
K. Sakuraba ◽  
T. Ishizuka ◽  
K. Araki ◽  
A. Nakaniida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pelvic Floor ◽  
Pelvic Floor Muscle ◽  
Voluntary Contraction

Immediate Effect of Abdominal and Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises on Interrecti Distance in Women With Diastasis Recti Abdominis Who Were Parous

2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (8) ◽  
pp. 1372-1383
Author(s):  
Sandra B Gluppe ◽  
Marie Ellström Engh ◽  
Kari Bø
Keyword(s):  
Pelvic Floor ◽  
Pelvic Floor Muscle ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Diastasis Recti ◽  
Acute Increase ◽  
Diastasis Recti Abdominis

Abstract Objective There is a lack of consensus on which abdominal or pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises to recommend for the treatment of diastasis recti abdominis (DRA). The objective of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of abdominal and PFM exercises on interrecti distance (IRD) in women with DRA who are parous. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 38 women who were parous, with a mean age of 36.2 years (SD = 5.2), diagnosed with DRA participated. IRD was assessed with 2-dimensional real-time ultrasonography during rest and during 8 randomly ordered different exercises. A paired t test was used to compare the IRD at rest with the IRD recorded during each exercise as well as the differences between exercises. Means with 95% CI are reported. Results Head lift and twisted curl-up exercises significantly decreased the IRD both above and below the umbilicus. Above the umbilicus, the mean IRD difference from rest during head lift was 10 mm (95% CI = 7 to 13.2), whereas during twisted curl-up it was 9.4 mm (95% CI = 6.3 to 12.5). Below the umbilicus, the corresponding values were 6.1 mm (95% CI = 3.2 to 8.9) and 3.5 mm (95% CI = 0.5 to 6.4), respectively, but PFM contraction, maximal in-drawing, and PFM contraction + maximal in-drawing increased the IRD (mean difference = −2.8 mm [95% CI = −5.2 to 0.5], −4.7 mm [95% CI = −7.2 to −2.1], and − 5.0 mm [95% CI = −7.9 to −2.1], respectively). Conclusions Head lift and twisted curl-up exercises decreased the IRD both above and below the umbilicus, whereas maximal in-drawing and PFM contraction exercises only increased the IRD below the umbilicus. A randomized controlled trial is needed to investigate whether head lift and twisted curl-up exercises are effective in permanently narrowing the IRD. Impact To date there is scant scientific knowledge of which exercises to recommend in the treatment of DRA. In-drawing and PFM contraction leads to an acute increase in IRD, while head lift and twisted curl-up leads to an acute decrease in IRD in postpartum women. There is a need for high-quality randomized controlled trials to investigate if there is a long-term reduction in IRD by doing these exercises over time. The acute IRD increase and decrease during the different exercises is also present in a sample of women with larger separations.

scholarly journals Reliability of Pelvic Floor Muscle Assessment with Transabdominal Ultrasound in Young Nulliparous Women

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 3449
Author(s):  
Bartosz Zając ◽  
Iwona Sulowska-Daszyk ◽  
Anna Mika ◽  
Artur Stolarczyk ◽  
Ewelina Rosłoniec ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pelvic Floor ◽  
Pelvic Floor Muscle ◽  
Ultrasound Image ◽  
Posterior Wall ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Pelvic Floor Muscles ◽  
Quantitative Detection ◽  
Transabdominal Ultrasound ◽  
Nulliparous Women ◽  
The Right

The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of pelvic floor muscles evaluation via transabdominal ultrasonography in young nulliparous women and to present the methodology for quantitative assessment of the ultrasound image of the pelvic floor muscles visible as displacement of the posterior wall of the bladder, caused by action of the pelvic floor muscles. The study comprised 30 young, Caucasian, nulliparous women (age 22–27; 168.6 ± 5.1 cm; 57.1 ± 11.8 kg) without pelvic floor muscle dysfunctions. The intra-rater, test-retest and inter-rater reliability of pelvic floor muscles evaluation was performed using transabdominal ultrasound at rest and during voluntary contraction. The reliability was assessed at three points of the image (at the middle, on the right and left side). The reliability of the three-point measurement of the pelvic floor muscles transabdominal ultrasound is excellent in the case of intra-rater assessments, both at rest (ICC = 0.98–0.99) and during contraction (ICC = 0.97–0.98); moderate at rest (ICC = 0.54–0.62) and poor during contraction (ICC = 0.22–0.50) in the case of test–retest assessment; excellent at rest (ICC = 0.95–0.96), and good during contraction (ICC = 0.81–0.87) in the case of inter-rater assessment. Transabdominal ultrasound is a reliable method of pelvic floor muscle evaluation. The three-points of assessment used in our study allowed for broader and more comprehensive imaging of the pelvic floor muscle, e.g., for quantitative detection contractility imbalances between the left and right side Due to the fact that understanding mechanisms of pelvic floor muscle functioning is crucial in the therapy of pelvic floor dysfunctions, therefore, reliable, valid tests and instruments are important.

scholarly journals Functional Interaction of Pelvic Floor, Diaphragm and Trunk Muscles among Men with Prostate Cancer

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (86) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brigita Zachovajevienė ◽  
Laimonas Šiupšinskas ◽  
Pavelas Zachovajevas ◽  
Daimantas Milonas ◽  
Loreta Lapinskaitė
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Pelvic Floor ◽  
Pelvic Floor Muscle ◽  
Core Stability ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Back Muscles ◽  
Functional Relationships ◽  
Transversus Abdominis Muscle

Research background and hypothesis. The absolute dominance of the isolated muscle presentation as the first and  last  word  in  muscular  anatomy  leaves  the  current  generation  of  therapists  unlikely  to  think  any  other  way (Myers,  2009).  Hypothesis:  functional  relationships  could  be  found  between  pelvic  floor,  diaphragm,  and  trunk muscles in men with prostate cancer.Research aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate functional associations between pelvic floor, diaphragm, and trunk muscles among men with prostate cancer. Research methods. The study included 81 male volunteers diagnosed with prostate cancer with measurements conducted one day before radical prostatectomy. Pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance were measured using “Peritron  9300”  device,  the  strength  of  diaphragm  –  with  “MicroRPM”,  the  strength  of  transversus  abdominis muscle – with “Stabilizer”. Trunk muscles were tested using tests for static postural endurance of abdominal and back muscles. Associations were estimated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r). Research results. Analysis of functional indicators of muscles demonstrated high linear associations between strength of pelvic floor and diaphragm (r = 0.79), between strength of diaphragm and exhalation muscles (r = 0.78), and between static endurance of abdominal and back muscles (r = 0.72). We determined moderate correlations between endurance of pelvic floor and strength of transversus abdominis muscle (r = 0.59), between strength of transversus abdominis and static endurance of abdominal muscles (r = 0.69), between strength of diaphragm and static endurance of abdominal (r = 0.56) and back muscles (r = 0.51), between the strength of exhalation muscles and static endurance of abdominal muscles (r = 0.57) and strength of pelvic floor (r = 0.65), between strength of pelvic floor and static endurance of back muscles (r = 0.50). Low correlations were found between strength of pelvic floor and transversus abdominis (r = 0.31) and static endurance of abdominal muscles (r = 0.44), between endurance of pelvic floor and exhalation muscles (r = 0.37), and finally between transversus abdominis and static strength of back muscles (r = 0.39). All correlations were statistically significant (p  < 0.01). Discussion and conclusions. The findings showed positive associations among different functional indicators of muscles: strength of pelvic floor correlates with endurance of pelvic floor muscles, static abdominal and back muscles, strength of diaphragm, and transversus abdominis muscles. The results of this study confirm that functional associations between pelvic floor, diaphragm, and trunk muscles exist.Keywords: abdominal muscles, static postural endurance, respiration, core stability.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document