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Is balance different in women with and without stress urinary incontinence?
Author(s) -
Smith Michelle D.,
Coppieters Michel W.,
Hodges Paul W.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
neurourology and urodynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1520-6777
pISSN - 0733-2467
DOI - 10.1002/nau.20476
Subject(s) - medicine , pelvis , trunk , balance (ability) , proprioception , electromyography , urinary incontinence , physical medicine and rehabilitation , lumbar , force platform , physical therapy , range of motion , surgery , ecology , biology
Aims This study investigated whether there are differences in center of pressure (COP) displacement, trunk motion, and trunk muscle activity in women with and without stress urinary incontinence (SUI) during static balance tasks when the bladder is empty and moderately full. Methods Subjects stood on a force plate during six static balance conditions: eyes open, eyes closed, standing on foam with eyes open, standing on foam with eyes closed, tandem stance, and standing on a short base. Electromyographic activity (EMG) of the pelvic floor (PF), abdominal, and erector spinae muscles were recorded using surface electrodes. Motion of the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hips was measured with four inclinometers. Trials were performed with the bladder empty, and when the subject reported a sensation of moderate bladder fullness after drinking 250–1,000 ml of water. Results Women with SUI had greater COP displacement (range and root mean square), and increased trunk muscle EMG during static balance tests compared to continent women. When tasks were performed with the bladder moderately full, COP displacement and abdominal muscle EMG were increased in both groups. Conclusions This study demonstrates that women with SUI have decreased balance ability compared to continent women. Increased activity of the PF and trunk muscles in women with SUI may impair balance as a result of a reduced contribution of trunk movement to postural correction or compromised proprioceptive acuity. As compromised balance has been linked to falls risk, further research into balance deficits and falls prevalence in this population is warranted. Neurourol. Urodynam. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.