Is There a Correlation between the Pelvic Floor Muscle Functions and the Strength of the Hip Muscles in Female with Stress Urinary Incontinence?

Abstract

Background Because the hip muscles could affect pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function and tension of endopelvic fascia, contraction of hip muscles has been applied for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) intervention as co-contraction between hip muscles and PFM. Purpose The purpose of current study was to confirm the relationship between hip muscles strength and PFM functions in female with SUI. Study design Cross sectional study Methods Thirty-three female with SUI were recruited for the present study. PFM strength and endurance were measured by perineometer (unit: mmHg). Hip extensor, abductor, adductor and gluteal squeeze strength were measured by Smart KEMA tension sensor (unit: kg/body weight). The significance of the correlations between hip muscles strength and PFM functions were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Results There were not significant correlations between PFM functions (strength and endurance) and hip extensor, abductor, adductor and gluteal squeeze strength. Conclusions These findings could indicate the difficulty of co-contraction of hip abductor, adductor, extensor and gluteal squeeze with PFM in female with SUI, which is caused by PFM dysfunction.