Assessment of pelvic floor function: a series of simple tests in nulliparous women

Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct. 1996;7(2):94-7. doi: 10.1007/BF01902380.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess normal ranges, variations, test-retest reliability and correlations between tests for a battery of simple, minimally invasive tests of pelvic floor function in nulliparous asymptomatic women. Women were recruited by advertisement and underwent dipstick urinalysis, simple cystometrics, provocative tests for incontinence, Q-tip test and surface electromyography with acrylic plug electrodes. Subjects were retested at a later date. Nineteen subjects underwent initial testing and 12 were retested. A wide range of normal values was obtained. Cystometric measures of first and strong urge to void the maximum bladder capacity, Q-tip test and rectal perineometry had significant correlations between the two visits. There were no significant between-test correlation coefficients. It was concluded that the simple tests used demonstrate a mixed ability to follow pelvic floor function longitudinally.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cough / physiopathology
  • Electromyography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Parity / physiology*
  • Pelvic Floor / anatomy & histology
  • Pelvic Floor / diagnostic imaging
  • Pelvic Floor / physiology*
  • Reference Values
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Test Anxiety Scale
  • Ultrasonography
  • Urinalysis
  • Urinary Catheterization
  • Urinary Incontinence, Stress / physiopathology
  • Urination
  • Urodynamics