Does vaginal electrical stimulation cause pelvic floor muscle contraction? A pilot study.
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether vaginal electrical stimulation using Conmax and Medicon MS-105 causes pelvic floor muscle contraction. In addition, pain and discomfort described by the participants were registered. Nine women, mean age 37.7 years (range 24-54) participated in the study; five healthy physio-therapists and four patients with diagnosed genuine stress incontinence. All the participants used Conmax and Medicon MS-105 with 10, 20 and 50 Hz in random order. The women increased the current step by step to tolerance level. Two physiotherapists were observing the perineum and notified whether a correct contraction was occurring. The participants reported whether there was a correct contraction of the pelvic floor and described pain and discomfort, classified according to McGill Pain Questionnaire. The results demonstrated that a correct contraction was reported and observed in only one of nine women. Electrical stimulation with all frequencies caused pain and discomfort in all women.
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Norwegian Center for Research in Physiotherapy, Majorstua, Norway.
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D000328:Adult; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D014621:Vagina / Q000502:physiology*