Better Sense of Force Accuracy in Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence Compared with Women Without Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Surprising Result in a Case-Control Study

Kharaji G1, Nikjooy A1

Research Type

Clinical

Abstract Category

Female Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)

Abstract 697
Open Discussion ePosters
Scientific Open Discussion Session 108
Saturday 20th September 2025
12:45 - 12:50 (ePoster Station 4)
Exhibition
Stress Urinary Incontinence Physiotherapy Female Incontinence
1. Iran University of medical Sciences
Presenter
Links

Abstract

Hypothesis / aims of study
The primary aim of this study was to compare the ac-
curacy of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) force sense (FS)  in women with and without SUI. Second, we aimed to evaluate the accuracy of FS between various lengths and tensions of PFMs in these two groups.
Study design, materials and methods
Twenty-three women with SUI and 18 women without it were recruited in six trials with four different test conditions: 5 mm/40% (speculum opening/maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) percentage to produce), 5 mm/70%, 10 mm/40%, and 10 mm/70%. All participants were asked to reproduce the target force based on their own perceptions. The dynamometer was used to evaluate the sense of force.
Results
The accuracy of force sense differed between women with SUI and those without it. In all test conditions, women with SUI had higher force reproduction accuracy. The highest amount of error was recorded at 10 mm and 40% MVC for either group.
Interpretation of results
In this study, the amount of force reproduction error
in both groups was lower in 70% MVC than in 40%, which is probably due to the activity of both slow and fast-twitch fibers to enhance a stronger contraction in reproducing 70% MVC compared to 40% in which the slow-twitch fibers are mostly activated. Slow-twitch fibers are more designed for endurance activities like maintaining posture. Some studies investigated the postural activity of PFMs in women with SUI and reported postural control alterations, which is consistent with the results of this study.
Concluding message
This study evaluated the sense of force reproduction
accuracy in women with and without SUI. The SUI women were more accurate in force reproduction. It is possible that in SUI women, automaticity might have been decreased in PFMs. Therefore, they paid more attention to this area and tried to maintain its contraction during activities. A potential goal in treating these women could be restoring the automatic activity in PFMs, so involuntary contractions of the PFM should also be assessed.
Disclosures
Funding None Clinical Trial No Subjects Human Ethics Committee IR.IUMS.REC.1397.200 Helsinki Yes Informed Consent Yes
16/07/2025 07:01:02