E-Posters-Guided Vaginal Biofeedback Leads to Higher Absolute Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength in Kegel-naive Patients

Guided Vaginal Biofeedback Leads to Higher Absolute Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength in Kegel-naive Patients - Abagail Armstrong, MD

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The study aimed to assess the association between baseline pelvic floor muscle contraction (PFMC) and guided PFMC strength in kegel-naïve patients. A total of 100 women from low-resource (LR) and high-resource (HR) practice settings were included in the analysis. Baseline PFMC was performed using a two-digit pelvic exam, and patients were then counseled on how to perform three guided PFMCs. The strength of each PFMC was measured using the modified Oxford scoring system. The results showed significant correlations between baseline PFMC and guided PFMC #1, #2, and #3. These correlations were observed in both LR and HR settings. <br /><br />The findings suggest that in kegel-naïve patients, baseline PFMC values are significantly correlated with guided PFMC strength during biofeedback. Higher baseline PFMC values were associated with higher absolute contraction strength during guided PFMC. The study recommends that healthcare providers, especially generalist OB/GYNs, teach pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) at the time of pelvic exams, as it is a low-cost and easily accessible skill.<br /><br />There were some limitations to the study, including the use of a convenience sample instead of a random sample and the subjective evaluation of the pelvic floor using the Oxford scale. Additionally, the number of patients in the LR and HR groups was skewed. Nonetheless, the study highlights the potential benefits of guided biofeedback in improving pelvic floor muscle strength, especially in weaker patients but also in those who start strong at baseline.

Keywords

baseline pelvic floor muscle contraction

guided PFMC strength

kegel-naïve patients

low-resource practice settings

high-resource practice settings

correlations

biofeedback

healthcare providers

pelvic floor muscle exercises

improving pelvic floor muscle strength