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Variation in intravaginal pressure measurements
M C Dougherty1, K R Bishop, R A Mooney
1College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville.
Nursing Research
|September 1, 1991
Summary
Intravaginal pressure measurements of circumvaginal muscles (CVM) showed significant variation. Controlled study found no link between CVM pressure and time, day, or stress, but consistent data collection reduced measurement variability.
Area of Science:
- Pelvic floor physical therapy
- Female pelvic medicine
- Biomechanical analysis
Background:
- Intravaginal pressure measurements of circumvaginal muscles (CVM) exhibit wide variations.
- Clinical observations suggest time of day, day of testing, and stress influence these measurements.
- Systematic investigation is needed to validate these clinical observations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the variability in intravaginal pressure measurements of CVM under controlled conditions.
- To determine if time of day, day of testing, or stress significantly affect CVM pressure.
- To analyze within-subject and between-subject variance in CVM pressure.
Main Methods:
- Five subjects underwent 16 assessments over four consecutive days, four times daily.
- Ten CVM contractions (12 seconds each) were recorded per assessment.
- Analysis included maximum pressure (MP10), peak maximum pressure (PMP), and abdominal pressure using ANOVA.
Main Results:
- Within-subject variance was 15.5 (SD = 3.9); between-subject variance was 132.4 (SD = 11.5).
- ANOVA revealed no significant differences in CVM pressure related to day, time, or stressor.
- Clinical observations regarding factors influencing CVM pressure were not supported.
Conclusions:
- The study did not support clinical observations linking CVM pressure variability to time, day, or stress.
- Consistent data collection procedures may reduce within-subject variance in CVM pressure measurements.
- Further research may be needed to understand CVM pressure fluctuations.