Queen's University, Kingston

Research Spotlight

Publication Highlight:

McLean, L., Charette, M., Varette, K. Brooks K, Harvey MA, Robert M, Baker K, Day A, Della Zazzera V, Sauerbrei E, Brison R. Pelvic floor muscle training as an adjunct to a midurethral sling: a single-blind randomised controlled trial. Int Urogynecol J 2021:32(3) https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-020-04668-9

This a collaborative, multicentre, multidiscipline single-blind, randomized study involving the departments of rehabilitation, obstetrics and gynecology, population health sciences, radiology and emergency medicine at Queen’s University, University of Ottawa, and the University of Calgary. The group hypothesized that women undergoing mid-urethral sling (MUS) surgery for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) would benefit from pre-operative pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training with a physiotherapist, over PFM training taught by a handout alone. After exclusions, 52 participants were randomized to 12 weeks of PFM training with a physiotherapist in addition to a handout on PFM training, while 51 participants were randomized the PFM training handout alone. Groups were compared based on the Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (FLUTS) questionnaire total score, urinary incontinence, filling and voiding subscale scores, and on a standardized 30-min pad test. At 12 weeks post surgery, the PFM training group reported significantly fewer urinary incontinence symptoms (based on the FLUTS subscale score) then the control group. However, there were no group differences in the overall FLUTS score, or the standardized pad test. No group differences were found in the filling or voiding symptoms (as per the FLUTS subscale scores) at 12 weeks after surgery. The authors concluded that pre-operative PFM training improves SUI cure rates after MUS surgery when assessed by symptoms of SUI, however it does not improve SUI measured by a pad test, nor does it improve voiding or filling symptoms.

Recently Accepted for Publication:

Tomalty D, Giovannetti O, Gaudet D, Clohosey D, Harvey MA, Johnston S, Komisaruk B, Hannan J, Goldstein S, Goldstein I, Adams MA. The Prostate in Women: An Updated Histological and Immunohistochemical Profile of the Female Periurethral Glands and Relationship to an Implanted Mid-Urethral Sling. J Sex Med. 2022.

2021-2022 Publication List

Giovannetti O, Tomalty D, Gaudet D, Clohosey D, Forster A, Monaghan M, Harvey MA, Johnston S, Komisaruk B, Goldstein S, Hannan J, Goldstein I, Adams MA. Immunohistochemical Investigation of Autonomic and Sensory Innervation of Anterior Vaginal Wall Female Periurethral Tissue: A Study of the Surgical Field of Mid-Urethral Sling Surgery Using Cadaveric Simulation. J Sex Med. 2021;18(7):1167-1180. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.05.002. Epub 2021 Jun 24.

Harvey MA, Chih HJ, Geoffrion R, Amir B, Bhide A, Miotla P, Rosier PFWM, Offiah I, Pal M, Alas A. International Urogynecology Consultation Chapter 1 Committee 5: Relationship of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

to Associated Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Symptoms: Lower Urinary Tract, Bowel, Sexual Dysfunction and Abdominopelvic Pain. Int Urogynecol J. 2021 Aug 2. doi: 10.1007/s00192-021-04941-5.

Brooks KC; Kevin Varette K, Harvey MA, Robert M, Brison R, Day A, Baker K, Sauerbrei E, della Zazzera C, McLean L. A model identifying characteristics predictive of successful pelvic floor muscle training outcomes among women with stress urinary incontinence. Int Urogynecol J 2021;32:719–728. e pub: 2020 Nov 25. doi: 10.1007/s00192-020-04583-z https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-020-04583-z

Dobrowolski, SL; Pudwell, J, Harvey MA. Urinary incontinence among competitive Rope Skipping athletes: A cross-sectional study. Int Urogynecol J. 2020;31:881-6. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-019-04048-y

Blair R, Harvey MA, Pudwell J, Bougie, O. Retrospective comparison of PGE2 vaginal insert and foley catheter for outpatient cervical ripening. J Obstet Gynaecol Can 2020;42(9):1103-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogc.2020.02.112