Understanding deep intra-abdominal pressure and its relationship to PFM pressure in UI-afflicted women

Investigator: Chantale Dumoulin, PhD

Collaborators: Jenny Kruger, PhD, Paul Nielson, PhD, David Budget, PhD

Funding organization: Auckland Biomedical Institute (Auckland University)

Project and objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the validity of a new device, the Femfit, which measures intra-vaginal pressure profiles.

Who may participate in this research? 

Women age 18 and over, who are: 

  • Interested in testing a new device measuring intra-vaginal pressure.

  • Experienced urinary incontinence at least 3 times per week for at least 3 months

  • Are interested in actively participating in a pelvic floor physiotherapy intervention

*Other admission criteria may apply.


Published articles:

Cacciari LP, Kruger J, Goodman J, Budgett D, Dumoulin C. (2020) Reliability and validity of intravaginal pressure measurements with a new intravaginal pressure device: The FemFit®. Neurourology & Urodynamics, January;39(1):253-260. doi:10.1002/nau.24179

Pedfsky L, Neilsen PMF, Budgett D, Nemec K, Dumoulin C, Kruger J. (2021) Using codesign to develop a mobile application for pelvic floor muscle training with an intravaginal device (FemFit®). Neurourology & Urodynamics, November;40(8):1900-1907. doi:10.1002/nau.24775


Published abstracts:

Schell A, Budgett D, Nielsen P, Smalldridge J, Hayward L, Dumoulin C, Kruger J. (2016) Design and development of a novel intra-vaginal pressure sensor array. Abstract presentation, 46th Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society, Tokyo, Japan, 15 September 2016. https://www.ics.org/2016/abstract/414

Cacciari L, Kruger J, Goodman J, Budgett D, Dumoulin C. (2018) Reliability of intravaginal pressure measurements during maximal voluntary pelvic floor muscle contraction and Valsalva in lying and standing positions. Abstract presentation, 48th Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society, Philadelphia, United States, 28-31 August 2018. https://www.ics.org/2018/abstract/317

Reman T, Cacciari L, Voelkl Guevara J, Malcolm D, Budgett D, Kruger J, Dumoulin C. (2020) Intravaginal pressure profile during two diaphragmatic aspiration tasks in women with stress urinary incontinence: a cross sectional study. Abstract presentation, 50th Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society, online, 19-22 November 2020. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 2020;39 :S411-S412. doi:10.1002/nau.24455 https://www.ics.org/2020/abstract/522

Pedofsky L, Budgett D, Nemec K, Nielsen P, Dumoulin C, Kruger J. (2020) Urine luck! Design and development of a mobile application for an intra-vaginal device intended for pelvic floor muscle training. Abstract presentation, 50th Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society, online, 19-22 November 2020. https://www.ics.org/2020/abstract/27

Meng L, Mont-Briant S, Dumoulin C, Kruger J. (2024) #278 Evaluation of pelvic floor muscle function in women with urinary incontinence using femfit®. Abstract presentation, 54th Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society, Madrid, Spain, 23-25 October 2024. https://www.ics.org/2024/abstract/278