Reliability of measuring pelvic floor elevation with a diagnostic ultrasonic imaging device.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability of measuring the amount of pelvic floor elevation during pelvic and abdominal muscle contraction with a diagnostic ultrasonic imaging device. [Subjects] The study group comprised 11 healthy women without urinary incontinence or previous birth experience. [Methods] We measured the displacement elevation of the bladder base during contraction of the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles was measured using a diagnostic ultrasonic imaging device.

Relationship between the phases of the menstrual cycle and the transversus abdominis muscle.

[Purpose] This study investigated changes in the thickness of the transversus abdominis muscle at various stages of the menstrual cycle. [Subjects] The subjects were 15 young healthy females with regular menstrual cycles. [Methods] A regular menstrual cycle was defined as a 28-day cycle comprising 3 phases: the menstrual phase, the follicular phase, and the luteal phase.

Body responses to sound stimulation: a crossover study.

[Purpose] Auditory stimulation is used for the functional assessment of the saccule and saccule-derived vestibule-cervical reflex in clinical environments. The present study aimed to clarify the influences of sound stimulation as a type of auditory stimulation on the body. [Subjects] The subjects were nine healthy youths (2 males and 7 females).

The Intervention Effects of Different Treatment for Chronic Low Back Pain as Assessed by the Cross-sectional Area of the Multifidus Muscle.

[Purpose] The purpose of this this study was to examine the immediate effects of intervention of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), neuromuscular joint facilitation (NJF) and NJF+pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercise. [Subjects] Thirteen young people (5 males, 8 females) who had chronic low back pain on one side for more than 6 months. [Methods] Subjects were asked to lie on their sides with the painful side uppremost.