Comparison of pelvic inclination angle, pelvic floor muscle contraction skills and perceptions of women with and without urinary incontinence complaint

The aim of this study was to compare pelvic inclination angles, pelvic floor muscle contraction skills and perceptions of women with and without urinary incontinence complaints. A total of 128 women aged 18-50 years, 64 with urinary incontinence complaints and 64 without urinary incontinence complaints were included in the study. The presence of urinary incontinence in women was determined with the 3 Incontinence Questions questionnaire and the Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis. Pelvic inclination angle was evaluated with Spinal Mouse, pelvic floor muscle contraction perception was evaluated with Visual Analog Scale (VAS), pelvic floor muscle contraction skills were evaluated with Coccygeal Movement Test in 3 positions including standing, sitting and side lying. The results of the Coccygeal Movement Test were recorded by the physiotherapist as "İnward movement", "Outward movement" and " No displacement". The abdominal region was palpated during the test and the contraction was noted as "Present" or "Absent". Pelvic inclination angle and pelvic floor muscle contraction perceptions of women with urinary incontinence complaints were compared with women without urinary incontinence complaints and there was no statistical difference between the groups (p=0,634, p=0,195). It was found that there was no difference in abdominal contraction during the Coccygeal Movement Test. A statistical difference was found between the groups as a result of the Coccygeal Movement Test performed in standing, sitting and lateral recumbency (p<0.001). The women without urinary incontinence complaints were found to be able to move the coccyx inward more than the women with urinary incontinence complaints in standing, sitting and side lying (p<0.05). In this study, pelvic inclination angle and pelvic floor muscle contraction perception of women with urinary incontinence complaints were similar to women without urinary incontinence complaints. It was determined that women without urinary incontinence complaints had better pelvic floor muscle contraction skills than women with urinary incontinence complaints in all three positions.