Influence of pelvic orientation and synergistic muscle tone on bioelectrical activity of pelvic floor muscles in menopausal and postmenopausal women with or without urinary incontinence

The superior scientific aim of the project is an objective evaluation of the influence of pelvic orientation and the tone of muscles indirectly acting on the pelvic floor (synergists PFM – SPFM) on electromyographic activity of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM). The target population in this study will be menopausal and postmenopausal women suffering from stress urinary incontinence (group A) and urinary continent women (group B). The first target action will be the evaluation of pelvic dimensions and orientation in sagittal and frontal planes in the examined population. Next, according to the assumptions of the main research hypothesis, it will be assessed whether various pelvic configurations influence the changes of the resting and functional PFM activity. Moreover, the project will include the analysis of SPFM tone influence on the pelvic orientation and bioelectrical PFM activity. Participants will need to attend the examination once only. The duration of the examination will be approximately one hour. The measurements: 1. Examination of pelvic orientation, 2. Electromyographic examination of: - pelvic floor muscles by means of intravaginal electrode - muscles indirectly acting on the pelvic floor 3. The position of patient during examination: Standing position: - Pelvic orientation in the maximum anterior tilt, - Pelvic orientation in the maximum posterior tilt, - Pelvic movements forward and backward. Supine position: - Supine of lower limbs - 90 degrees flexion in hip and knee joints; lower limbs placed freely on adequately profiled moulder - decreased anterior pelvic tilt; - Position of lower limbs with a slight flexion of hip and knee joints – intermediate pelvic position; - Position of lower limbs without a flexion in hip and knee joints; Lower limbs resting freely on the medical exam table – increased anterior pelvic tilt.