Evaluation of a mobile electrode for electrical stimulation of the perineal muscle

• Published in: 2010 Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Vol. 2010; pp. 3369 - 3372
• Main Authors: da Silveira Bianchi Perez, Fabiana, Cruz, Cleyciany Barbosa, Soares, Fabiano Araujo, Carvalho, João Luiz Azevedo, da Rocha, Adson Ferreira
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States IEEE 01-01-2010
• Subjects: Adult; Electric Stimulation Therapy - instrumentation; Electrical stimulation; Electrodes; Equipment Design; Equipment Failure Analysis; Fatigue; Female; Humans; Mobile communication; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Muscles; Pelvic Floor - physiology; Protocols
• ISBN: 1424441234; 9781424441235
• ISSN: 1094-687X; 1557-170X; 1558-4615
• DOI: 10.1109/IEMBS.2010.5627921

This work evaluates the effectiveness of a new type of electrode for functional electrical stimulation of the perineal muscle in women. The new electrode is shaped like a pen, with an active stimulation electrode located on its tip. The goals of the study are to (i) demonstrate that stimulation using the new device results in increased muscle strength; and (ii) compare the performance of the new device with that of a traditional (fixed) electrode. Eight women were evaluated, following a blind study protocol. The preliminary results suggest that stimulation with the new electrode achieves better results than stimulation with traditional electrodes, as higher increases in strength were observed in the group that used the mobile electrode.