E-Posters-Pelvic Floor And Transverse Abdominal Muscles' Percentage Of Co-Contraction In Continent And Incontinent Women: An Electromyography Study

Pelvic Floor And Transverse Abdominal Muscles' Percentage Of Co-Contraction In Continent And Incontinent Women: An Electromyography Study - Natalia M Martinho, MD

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This study aimed to compare the percentage of co-contraction between the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and the transverse abdominal muscle (TrA) in women with urinary continence and women with urinary incontinence. The study found that continent women had higher PFM and TrA co-contraction compared to women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Although women with SUI also had co-contraction between the PFM and TrA, the percentage of co-contraction was significantly lower compared to continent women. Further studies are needed to determine the impact of PFM and TrA co-contraction in the development of SUI.<br /><br />The study included 279 women initially recruited, with 214 completing the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Urinary Incontinence – Short Form (ICIQ UI-SF). Of these, 68 women were continent and 146 had predominant SUI. Several exclusion criteria were applied, such as PFM strength grade 0 or 1, previous urinary or pelvic organ prolapse surgery, cognitive or physical disorders, and others.<br /><br />The participants underwent a superficial electromyography assessment to record the activity of the PFM and TrA at rest and during maximal voluntary contractions. The co-contraction between the PFM and TrA was investigated by comparing the muscle activity in contraction and co-contraction to resting values.<br /><br />This research was supported by the Foundation of Research Support of the State of Sao Paulo – FAPESP, Brazil.<br /><br />In conclusion, this study found that continent women had higher co-contraction between the PFM and TrA compared to women with SUI. Further research is needed to understand the role of PFM and TrA co-contraction in the pathophysiology of SUI.

Keywords

pelvic floor muscles

transverse abdominal muscle

urinary continence

urinary incontinence

stress urinary incontinence

co-contraction

muscle activity

maximal voluntary contractions

electromyography assessment

pathophysiology of SUI