Skip to main content
Log in

A valsalvometer can be effective in standardising the Valsalva manoeuvre

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Urogynecology Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A prospective randomised controlled study was performed in order to study the effectiveness of a device designed to reduce the variability in intra-abdominal pressures generated by individuals performing the Valsalva manoeuvre. One hundred women were recruited to take part in the project which compared a traditional Valsalva manoeuvre following standardised verbal instruction with forced expiration through a flow restriction device called a ‘valsalvometer’. The abdominal pressure was measured using an air-filled rectal balloon catheter linked to a pressure transducer. The use of the valsalvometer was associated with a reduction in variation of intra-abdominal pressure between women to 50% of the standard deviation. The new device has the capacity to reduce the variation in intra-abdominal pressure produced when performing the Valsalva manoeuvre. The rise in intra-abdominal pressure may act as a standard against which other measurements are made.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. King J, Neville J (2005) Measurement of bladder neck mobility using perineal ultrasound. International Urogynecology Association, 16(suppl 2):abstract

  2. Tunn R et al (2005) Updated recommendations on ultrasonography in urogynecology. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct 16(3):236–241

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Greenland H et al (2001) The reproducibility of the Valsalva manoeuvre—poster presentation. In: International Continence Society, UK Division. Manchester, UK

  4. Greenland H et al (2003) Can the valsalva manoeuvre be standardised? Neurourol Urodyn 22(5):357–548

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Bidmead J et al (2001) The “Valsalvometer”—a simple non–invasive method for producing a standardised rise in intra–abdominal pressure (Poster presentation). In: Neurourology and Urodynamics Proceedings of the International Continence Society, 20(4):493

  6. King JK, Freeman RM (1998) Is antenatal bladder neck mobility a risk factor for postpartum stress incontinence? Br J Obstet Gynaecol 105(12):1300–1307

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the following contributors to the work presented in this paper–Angela Bryant BSc (Hons) RN and Samantha Whalley RN.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. P. Greenland.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Greenland, H.P., Hosker, G.L. & Smith, A.R.B. A valsalvometer can be effective in standardising the Valsalva manoeuvre. Int Urogynecol J 18, 499–502 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-006-0186-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-006-0186-7

Keywords

Navigation