Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026

Anogenital Distance and Perineal Measurements of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse POP Quantification System
Published on: September 20, 2018
Pelvic Floor Muscle Evaluation in Older Women with Urinary Incontinence: A Feasibility Study
Tatiana V D Sanses1, Shihyun Kim2, Derik L Davis3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Howard University College of Medicine, Howard University Hospital, 2041 Georgia Ave. NW, OBGYN 3C-16, Washington, DC, 20060, USA. tatiana.sanses@howard.edu.
Introduction And Hypothesis:
The objective of this feasibility study was to characterize the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) in older women with urinary incontinence (UI) via clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study included women aged ≥ 70 years with symptomatic UI confirmed by a 3-day bladder diary. Clinical evaluation of the PFMs included the Modified Oxford Scale strength assessment (grade 0-5). PFM defects were also characterized as none/normal, minor, and major based on MRI evaluation. Descriptive statistics were utilized. Spearman's correlation with 95% confidence intervals was calculated between PFMs strength, MRI defects, and age.
Results:
Participants (n = 20) were 76.6 ± 4.7 years. Clinical evaluation demonstrated poor PFM strength in 95% (n = 19) of participants with the following grades: 15% (n = 3) grade 0, 45% (n = 9) grade 1, and 35% (n = 7) grade 2. MRI evaluation demonstrated PFMs= defects in 100% of participants with 45% (n = 9) minor and 55% (n = 11) major defects. The correlation coefficients between PFM strength and MRI defects, MRI defects and age, and PFM strength and age were -0.29 (95% CI -0.64, 0.18; p = 0.22), -0.01 (95% CI = -0.44, 0.44; p = 0.99), and 0.04 (95% CI = -0.41, 0.47; p = 0.88) respectively.
Conclusion:
Clinical and MRI evaluation of PFMs in older women with UI is feasible. Clinical evaluation of PFMs demonstrated poor strength in 95% of women, and MRI revealed PFM defects in all participants.
Related Concept Videos
Muscles of the Pelvic Floor and Perineum
Perineal Layer
The perineum is a diamond-shaped area below the pelvic diaphragm, divided into an anterior urogenital triangle that contains the external genitals and a posterior anal triangle housing the anus. The urogenital...
Urinary Bladder
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...
Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
Nursing Assessment of the Genitourinary System II: Inspection and Palpation
Imaging Studies VI: Voiding Cystourethrography and Cystography
Urodynamic Studies: Uroflowmetry

