Relationship Between Abdominal Muscle and Pelvic Floor Muscle Activation in Elderly Individuals with Urinary Incontinence.

Introduction and hypothesis: The aim of our study is to examine the relationship between abdominal muscles and pelvic floor muscles (PFM) activation in elderly individuals with urinary incontinence (UI).

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 43 elderly individuals (27 women, 16 men) with UI in a nursing home. Superficial electromyography (EMG) was used to assess the contraction and relaxation activities of the PFM and abdominal muscles (rectus abdominis, transversus abdominis, internal obliques, external obliques). The Overactive Bladder Awareness Questionnaire (OAB-V8) and the Urogenital Distress Inventory Short Form (UDI-6) were used to assess incontinence symptoms and severity. The Geriatric Self-Efficacy Index for Urinary Incontinence (GSE-UI) was used to evaluate the level of self-efficacy. Quality of life was assessed using the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form (IIQ-7) and the Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (I-QOL). Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis.

Results: A moderate positive correlation was found between PFM work MVC and RA work MVC (r 0.540, p 0.001), IO work MVC (r 0.485, p 0.002), and RA rest MVC (r 0.441, p 0.006). When analyzed by gender, significant differences were found in the average activity of RA contraction, average activity of EO contraction, and normalized MVC values (p 0.035, p 0.048, p 0.001). When analyzed by incontinence type, significant differences were found in the TA relaxation MVC and average activity of IO contraction (p 0.006, p 0.011).

Conclusions: There is a relationship between the functions of PFM and abdominal muscles in individuals with UI. Additionally, EMG data during both abdominal and PFM contractions are higher in men at this age. Incontinence type may affect abdominal muscle function.