The proposed project builds on our research on the effect of exercise on the circumvaginal muscles (CVM). Here the effect of clinical interventions (exercise and biofeedback) on lower urinary tract dysfunctions in aging women will be studied.
The specific aims are: 1. To describe variation in the dynamic characteristics of the CVM attributable to intraindividual variation in normal women. 2. To refine the CVM exercise intervention by determining in number of CVM contractions per exercise session needed to obtain significant improvement in the dynamic characteristics of the CVM. 3. To evaluate the effect of a CVM exercise intervention on genuine stress urinary incontinence (SUI). 4. To evaluate the effect of a CVM biofeedback intervention on sensory urgency. In the analysis of - each aim the variables maximum pressure and contracton area will be used; these variables taken form pressure tracings of the CVM are proven optimal variables. In the intervention studies bladder records and urodynamic tests will be used also. The clinical interventions will be tested with repeated measures designs in which repeated measurements are taken at baseline, after a control period and after the treatment period. Baseline measurements will be used to describe characteristics of study groups and will be used as covariates in the analysis when feasible. Consistent, careful research on the CVM will result in straightforward, teachable clinical interventions that can be implemented by women in any setting. Our efforts are directed toward enchancing the individuals control over continence mechanisms, thereby forstalling or preventing incontinence requiring expensive and invasive treatment.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NR001115-06
Application #
3391128
Study Section
Nursing Research Study Section (NURS)
Project Start
1984-08-01
Project End
1991-10-31
Budget Start
1989-12-01
Budget End
1990-11-30
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
1990
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Florida
Department
Type
Schools of Nursing
DUNS #
073130411
City
Gainesville
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
32611
Boyington, A R; Dougherty, M C (2000) Pelvic muscle exercise effect on pelvic muscle performance in women. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct 11:212-8
Dougherty, M C (1998) Current status of research on pelvic muscle strengthening techniques. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs 25:75-83
Griffin, C; Dougherty, M C; Yarandi, H (1994) Pelvic muscles during rest: responses to pelvic muscle exercise. Nurs Res 43:164-7
Workman, D E; Cassisi, J E; Dougherty, M C (1993) Validation of surface EMG as a measure of intravaginal and intra-abdominal activity: implications for biofeedback-assisted Kegel exercises. Psychophysiology 30:120-5
Dougherty, M; Bishop, K; Mooney, R et al. (1993) Graded pelvic muscle exercise. Effect on stress urinary incontinence. J Reprod Med 38:684-91
Bishop, K R; Dougherty, M; Mooney, R et al. (1992) Effects of age, parity, and adherence on pelvic muscle response to exercise. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 21:401-6
Cosner, K R; Dougherty, M C; Bishop, K R (1991) Dynamic characteristics of the circumvaginal muscles during pregnancy and the postpartum. J Nurse Midwifery 36:221-5
Dougherty, M C; Bishop, K R; Mooney, R A et al. (1991) Variation in intravaginal pressure measurements. Nurs Res 40:282-5