Surface Electromyographic Assessment of Pelvic Floor Muscles Protocol Tested by a Novel Airbag-type Stretchable Electrode Array (ASEA) Device in Stress Urinary Incontinence in Postmenopausal Women

Electromyography (EMG) is a well-established method to quantify the PFM activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the PFM of US and LAMs EMG variables separately by ASEA device and determine the predict value of sEMG for ASEA assessing the PFM in postmenopausal women with SUI. We obtained the EMG of US and LAMs separately by ASEA device consisted of following elements: ARP, MVC, TCP, ECP and PRP. We performed ROC curve analysis for optimal cutoff level for sEMG activation of the PFM. For 65 healthy and 67 with SUI, muscle strength was lower in SUI group according to the modified Oxford grading system by bidigital palpation. The sEMG of PFM activities were significantly lower in SUI group tested by ASEA device, especially in the MVC, TCP and ECP activities in US and LAMs. According to ROC curves, US and LAMs, especially PR and PC, except IC, have optimum predict cutoff amplitude for SUI. Our study proved that US defect and dysfunctional LAMs play an important role in the pathogenesis of SUI and separation of specific regions of US and LAMs can provide a reliable and optimized treatment strategy for the precise rehabilitation of pelvic floor muscles.