Pelvic PT Pelvic Floor Muscle Examination

Face validity and reliability of the first digital assessment scheme of pelvic floor muscle function conform the new standard terminology of the international continence society. Slieker-ten Hove 2009.
Below is a table outlining the parts of a PFM evaluation
Visual inspection  

Slieker-ten Hove and ICS terminology	Desirable result	Indicative of dysfunction
Inward movement  / Active PFM contraction	Yes	No Downward
Overflow muscle activity (previously called Co-contraction) *	No	Yes
Active PFM relaxation	Yes	No
Perineal movement during coughing  / Involuntary PFM contraction	No Inward	Yes
Incontinence	No	Yes
Perineal movement during straining  / Involuntary PFM relaxation	Yes	No Inward

Palpation

	Desirable result	Indicative of dysfunction
Pain	No	Yes
Lavatory closure	Yes	No
Symmetry left, right	Yes	No
Voluntary contraction / MMT	Strong (Moderate)	Moderate Weak Absent
Endurance	10 seconds	0 to 9 seconds
Fast twitch – as performed in the US to test ability to relax fully *	Good quality relaxation and contraction 7 in 10 seconds	Inability to relax fully or quickly Less than 7 in 10 seconds
Voluntary relaxation	Complete – to resting tone *	Partly Absent
Palpating during cough “cough forcefully” Movement of perineum / Involuntary PFM contraction	No movement of perineum	Yes
Palpating during straining  “give a strong push”  Involuntary relaxation  / Involuntary PFM relaxation	Yes some movement of perineum with straining	No

* denotes change from Slieker-ten Hove definitions based on Pelvic Physiotherapy Distance Journal Club discussions.

ICS terminology has been added in some places.

All tests listed have moderate or substantial reliability