Continuous versus intermittent stochastic resonance whole body vibration and its effect on pelvic floor muscle activity

• Published in: Neurourology and urodynamics 2012-06, Vol.31 (5), p.683-687
• Main Authors: Luginbuehl, H., Lehmann, C., Gerber, R., Kuhn, A., Hilfiker, R., Baeyens, J.P., Radlinger, L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Cross-Over Studies; cross-sectional study; Electromyography; Female; Humans; load normative; Middle Aged; Muscle Fatigue; Parity; Pelvic Floor - physiopathology; Physical Therapy Modalities; Pregnancy; Stochastic Processes; stress urinary incontinence; Switzerland; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Urinary Incontinence - etiology; Urinary Incontinence - physiopathology; Urinary Incontinence - therapy; Vibration - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0733-2467; 1520-6777
• DOI: 10.1002/nau.21251

Aims To determine the optimal stochastic whole body vibration (SR‐WBV) load modality regarding pelvic floor muscle (PFM) activity in order to complete the SR‐WBV training methodology for future PFM training with SR‐WBV. Methods The continuous and the intermittent SR‐WBV modalities were tested by means of electromyography in two independent groups (27 women 8 weeks to 1‐year postpartum and 23 women nulliparae or >1‐year postpartum) with self‐reported stress urinary incontinence. The change in the PFM activity within a single set and over three sets were calculated for both SR‐WBV modalities together (time effect) and for both SR‐WBV modalities separately (modality–time interaction). Results There was no statistically significant or clinically relevant change in PFM activity over time or PFM fatigue in either SR‐WBV modality within one or three sets and no difference between the modalities or the groups. Conclusions The lack of change in PFM activity could be due to a no more than moderate to submaximal PFM activity during SR‐WBV, the maintenance of reflexive PFM activity despite PFM fatigue or a compensation of slow red PFM fiber fatigue by an increase of innervation frequency and motor unit recruitment of the fast white fibers. As there is no SR‐WBV modality dependent difference regarding PFM activity, the continuous modality is recommended in clinical practice as it is easier to apply and less time consuming. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:683–687, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.