A quantitative approach to measure women%26apos;s sexual function using electromyography: A preliminary study of the Kegel exercise

作者：Mohktar Mas Sahidayana^*; Ibrahim Fatimah; Rozi Nur Farahana Mohd; Yusof Juhaida Mohd; Ahmad Siti Anom; Yen Khong Su; Omar Siti Zawiah

来源：Medical Science Monitor, 2013, 19: 1159-1166.

• women%26apos
• s sexual function
• electromyography (EMG) measurement
• Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ) questionnaires
• Kegel exercise

Background: Currently, the reference standard used to clinically assess sexual function among women is a qualitative questionnaire. Hence, a generalised and quantitative measurement tool needs to be available as an alternative. This study investigated whether an electromyography (EMG) measurement tecnique could be used to help quantify women%26apos;s sexual function. %26lt;br%26gt;Material/Methods: A preliminary intervention study was conducted on 12 female subjects, who were randomised into a control (n=6) and an intervention (n=6) group. Intervention involved a set regimen of pelvic floor muscle exercises (Kegel) and the control group did not have any treatment. All subjects were asked to answer a validated, self-rated Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ). EMG measurements of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and the abdominal muscles were taken from all women at recruitment and 8 weeks after study commencement. %26lt;br%26gt;Results: After 8 weeks, most of the subjects in the control group did not display any noted positive difference in either PISQ score (4/6) or in their muscle strength (4/6). However, a noted progressive difference were observed in subjects who were placed in the Kegel group; PISQ score (5/6) and muscles strength (4/6). %26lt;br%26gt;Conclusions: The noted difference in the Kegel group subjects was that if progress is observed in the sexual function, improvement is also observed in the strength of at least 2 types of muscles (either abdominal or PFM muscles). Thus, EMG measurement is a potential technique to quantify the changes in female sexual function. Further work will be conducted to validate this assumption.

• 出版日期2013-12-13