Aims: To investigate the changes in the thickness of the abdominal muscles; measured by ultrasound, in response to pelvic floor muscle (PFM) contraction in women with and without stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
Methods: A total of 20 non-pregnant female participated in the study. Subjects were categorized into two groups: continent females (N=10) and females with SUI (N=10). The change in the thickness of the right transverse abdominis muscle (TrAM) and internal oblique muscle (IOM) was measured with ultrasound imaging during PFM contraction in both groups.
Results: There was an increase in thickness of the TrAM and IOM muscle during PFM contraction showing a co-contraction of the abdominals during PFM contraction both in women with and without SUI. No significant difference was found in the change in thickness of TrAM (P=0.43) and IOM (P=0.72) in response to PFM contraction between women with and without SUI. In overall, there was no statistical significant difference in co-contraction of abdominal muscles during PFM contraction between SUI women and healthy continent women.
Conclusion: It seems that co-activation of the abdominal muscles during PFM contraction exists in continent and stress incontinent women.