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Measurement of pelvic floor muscular strength with the Colpexin pull test: a comparative study

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

The aim of this study is to compare the Colpexin pull test (CPT) with the Oxford muscle grading scale (OMGS) in assessing pelvic floor muscle strength.

Methods

In phase 1, 15 asymptomatic women underwent OMGS and CPT using three different spheres to select the ideal size. CPT values as well as patient/examiner comfort and ease of CPT performance were recorded. In phase 2, 30 women with stress urinary incontinence underwent CPT and OMGS by two examiners during two separate sessions. Statistical analysis was performed.

Results

In phase 1, the 36-mm sphere was selected based on resting (p < 0.001), contraction CPT (p < 0.001), patient ease (p = 0.018), patient comfort (p = 0.004), and examiner comfort (p < 0.001). In phase 2, there was good intra-rater and inter-rater agreement in maximum CPT. Both tests were positively correlated (r = 0.50, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

CPT is an objective measure of pelvic floor strength and provides consistent, reproducible results.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by Adamed Ltd., Warsaw, Poland. Writing of the manuscript was made solely by the authors listed.

Contribution to authorship

Marjorie Jean-Michel, MD: substantial contribution to the study design; acquisition of data and its interpretation; writing of the manuscript; review of final approval of version to be published.

Daniel H. Biller, MD: contribution to the study design; acquisition of data; revision suggestions for intellectual content; review of final approval of version to be published.

James F. Bena, MS: contribution to the study design; analysis of data; revision suggestions for content; review of final approval of version to be published.

G. Willy Davila, MD: substantial contribution to the initial study concept and design; acquisition of data and its interpretation; critical review of manuscript for intellectual content; review of final approval of version to be published.

Details of ethics approval

This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Cleveland Clinic Florida on November 8, 2005. The IRB number for this study is 8730.

Conflicts of interest

Marjorie Jean-Michel, Daniel H. Biller, and James F. Bena have no conflicts of interest. G. Willy Davila is a consultant for American Medical Systems (Minnetonka, MN), Astellas (Tokyo, Japan), and Watson (Corona, CA).

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Correspondence to G. Willy Davila.

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Jean-Michel, M., Biller, D.H., Bena, J.F. et al. Measurement of pelvic floor muscular strength with the Colpexin pull test: a comparative study. Int Urogynecol J 21, 1011–1017 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-010-1130-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-010-1130-4

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