Vaginal tissue properties versus increased intra-abdominal pressure: a preliminary biomechanical study.

Background/aims: This study aims to evaluate the pelvic floor (PF) tension response during simulated increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and the vaginal biomechanical properties.

Methods: A 3-dimensional computational finite element model for PF was developed based on magnetic resonance imaging from a nulliparous healthy volunteer. The model was used to simulate an IAP of 90 cm H(2)O and to evaluate the PF stresses in the longitudinal and transversal axes.

Translation of biomechanics research to urogynecology.

Introduction: Pelvic floor (PF) dysfunctions represent a frequent and complex problem for women. The interaction between the vagina and its supportive structures, that are designed to support increases in abdominal pressure, can be considered a biomechanical system. Recent advances in imaging technology have improved the assessment of PF structures.

Intensive supervised versus unsupervised pelvic floor muscle training for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence: a randomized comparative trial.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is considered to be the first-line treatment for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). There are few studies that have tested the efficacy of unsupervised PFMT. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of intensive supervised PFMT to unsupervised PFMT in the treatment of female SUI.

Multidirectional pelvic floor muscle strength measurement.

Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength measurement provides useful information for the study of pelvic floor dysfunctions. Vaginal digital palpation, intravaginal pressure measurements, and the use of a dynamometric speculum represent currently available clinical methods for evaluating PFM strength. However, none of these methods provide a dynamic measurement of pelvic floor strength in multiple directions simultaneously.