Diagnostic ultrasound for assessment of pelvic floor muscle contraction: frequently asked questions

Author(s): S. McKiernan, P. Chiarelli & H. Warren-Forward - Pages: 37–43

Abstract

Diagnostic ultrasound is being employed by physiotherapists as an assessment tool to provide biofeedback to both the patient and the clinician. Physiotherapists who use the modality often have many questions about the technique, and seek advice on how to produce an effective image and how to interpret it. This paper explores the evidence produced in response to questions posed by women’s health physiotherapists working with patients with pelvic floor muscle (PFM) dysfunction and familiar with diagnostic ultrasound who attended focus groups at the University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia. These physiotherapists highlighted the difficulties that they face when trying to find simple answers to their enquiries. In order to answer these questions, researcher experience and the literature are explored in relation to the physics of diagnostic ultrasound, ultrasound transducers, image production and interpretation, and the use of diagnostic ultrasound for the assessment of PFM contraction. The literature was searched using the following databases: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE); Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health
Literature (CINAHL); and Embase.

Keywords: biofeedback, pelvic floor contraction, ultrasound.