Pelvic floor muscle surface electromyography. Reliability and clinical predictive validity

To study the reliability and clinical predictive validity of pelvic floor muscle surface electromyography (sEMG) for use in early detection and prophylaxis of urogynecologic disorders.

Fifty-seven women ranging from 19 to 69 years of age completed a written questionnaire and underwent digital pelvic examination followed by pelvic floor muscle sEMG using an intravaginal sensor. Thirty-seven subjects underwent repeat evaluations one week or more later.

sEMG data demonstrated significant test-retest reliability (P < .001) and significant clinical predictive validity (P < .05) for undifferentiated urinary incontinence, stress incontinence, urge incontinence, menstrual status and parity on both initial and repeat examinations.

Pelvic floor muscle sEMG is reliable and consistently predictive of several important clinical status variables, suggesting that it can be a useful tool in early at-risk detection and prophylactic intervention for disorders of pelvic floor muscle laxity. Recent advances in sEMG technology make it cost-effective, convenient, noninvasive and easy to learn and administer by assisting staff. This technology is a powerful complementary tool for digital assessment of pelvic floor muscles and should be considered for use in gynecologic practice.