Pelvic Floor Stimulation: What are the good vibrations?

Objective

Aim of the study was to determine if two different whole body vibration systems sinusoidal (SV) and stochastic vibration (SRV) using divers intensities lead to a reactive activation of pelvic floor muscles.

Study Design

We compared pelvic floor muscle response of a healthy control group and a post partum group with weakened pelvic floor contraction. Activation effects of stochastic resonance vibration and sinusoidal vibration and six increasing vibration intensities were investigated using pelvic floor EMG and compared to activity during rest and maximum voluntary contraction.

Results

Both whole body vibration systems were able to activate pelvic floor muscle activity significantly depending on vibration intensity. Generally the SRV achieved a significant higher activation especially in women post partum and using a frequency of 6–12 Hz.

Conclusion

SRV leads to higher pelvic floor muscle activation because of improvement of power and proprioception in comparison to sinusoidal vibration.

EMG - pelvic floor stimulation - prospective study - whole body vibration