Haslam J., Jevaseelen S., Ros B. , Winstanley J, Oldham J.
Centre of Rehabilitation Science, Manchester, UK.

Aims of study: Prior to an effective pelvic floor exercise training programme being undertaken, a comprehensive assessment of the pelvic floor is necessary. Pelvic floor strength is often measured at the time of initial assessment and later used as an outcome measure. Pelvid floor strength is measured clinically by digital, manometric and electromyographic (EMG) examination. The aim of the study was to determine any correlation between these three methode of assessment.

Methods: 65 women were investigated, of which 60 had been referred with urinary incontinence and 5 were healhy volunteers. The age range of the subjects was 22-63 years. Subjects were all examined in crook supine lying with the following methods of assessment. 1. Digitally using the Oxford scale, 2. Manometrically using the Hollister PRS system , 3. Electromyographically with the Thought Technology Spectrum unit using procedure and order of assessment was used with all the subjects. Each subject performed 5 maximal pelvic floor contractions whilst being evaluated by each method. The subjects were than further evaluated by EMG assessment in both sitting and standing, performing 5 maximal contractions in each position.

Results: The data was analyzed using SPSS for windows. The subject groupings, parity, BMI and age were all found to be insignificant to the main results of the study. Spearman`s Correlation Coefficient was used to determine the correlation between the three methods of muscle strenght assessment; all had a value p<0.001