Reliability and diagnostic accuracy of a new vaginal dynamometer to measure pelvic floor muscle strength

Aims: Assess the intrarater and interrater reliabilities and diagnostic accuracy of a new vaginal dynamometer to measure pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength in incontinent and continent women. Methods: A test-retest reliability study including 152 female patients. Exclusion criteria: history of urge urinary incontinence, prolapse of pelvic organ, pregnancy, previous urogynecological surgery, severe vaginal atrophy, or neurological conditions. The examination comprised digital assessment using the modified Oxford scale (MOS) and dynamometry measurements with a new prototype hand-held dynamometer. The MOS score ranges from 0 to 5: 0, no contraction; 1, flicker; 2, weak; 3, moderate; 4, good; 5, strong. Examinations were performed by a physiatrist, a physiotherapist and a midwife. The rest period between each rater measurement was 5 minutes. Assessment of intrarater and interrater reliability was calculated with the intraclass correlation coefficient.Peer Reviewe