Simple test of pelvic muscle contraction during pelvic examination: Correlation to surface electromyography

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Abstract
The objective of this work was to evaluate the utility of a “Kegel” contraction test in a primary care setting. Fifty‐seven adult women completed a questionnaire, underwent pelvic examination, “Kegel” assessment, and measurement of same by vaginal sensor electromyography. Thirty‐seven underwent repeat evaluations within 4 weeks. Inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability of digital scale, intra‐rater reliability for sEMG measurement, correlation between raters and sEMG, and correlation between scale scores and sEMG with history and pelvic exam were determined. Fifty‐six percent were pre‐menopausal, 44% post‐menopausal. Urinary (62%) and rectal (37%) dysfunction were reported. Inter‐rater reliability, intra‐observer reproducibility for both raters and sEMG measurements, and correlation between raters and sEMG were significant (P< 0.05). Comparison of continence status and digital scores showed scores ≤4 were more frequently associated with reported urinary incontinence (PP < 0.05). This digital scale is a useful assessment of “Kegel” contraction, correlating well to sEMG vaginal sensor readings and self‐reported overall urinary continence status. Neurourol. Urodynam. 18:603–612, 1999.