Relative reliability, standard error of measurement and minimal detected change of transabdominal ultrasound during pelvic floor muscles contraction, Valsalva maneuver, and abdominal curl in healthy women

Abstract

Introduction: Trans-abdominal ultrasound is a non-invasive and easy method that can assess the function of pelvic floor muscles by observing the movement of the base of the bladder. Although reproducibility studies have examined this method during pelvic floor contraction, there are few findings during the Valsalva maneuver and abdominal curl. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility, standard error of measurement and the least detectable change in the method of trans-abdominal ultrasound assessment of pelvic floor muscle activity during contraction, Valsalva maneuver and abdominal curl in healthy women.Methods: This methodological study was performed in 1397 in Kashani Hospital of Isfahan on 15 female volunteers aged 20-45 years who had no difficulty in controlling urination. The degree of displacement of the bladder base (as a consequence of pelvic floor muscle activity) in millimeters was assessed by trans-abdominal ultrasonography during pelvic floor contraction, Valsalva maneuver and abdominal curl twice, with an interval of one week. Correlation coefficient and standard error of measurement were used to calculate the reproducibility, standard error of measurement and the least detectable change. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The reproducibility of trans-abdominal ultrasonography to assess the displacement of the bladder base during pelvic floor muscle contraction was 0.88, in Valsalva maneuver 0.95 and in abdominal curl 0.83. The lowest detectable change during pelvic floor contraction was 2.27 mm, in the Valsalva maneuver was> 15.7 "< and in the abdominal curl was < 5.65" mm. Conclusion: The repeatability of trans-abdominal ultrasound ultrasound in assessing pelvic floor muscle activity during contraction, valvular maneuvers and abdominal curl is good to excellent. © 2020 Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.