Influence of a distraction task on pelvic floor muscle contraction

Aims Attention may play a key role in the contraction of pelvic floor muscles in stressful situations, meaning that mental distraction may be involved in urinary incontinence. Methods Informed consent was obtained from 20 healthy volunteers. The electromyographic (EMG) activity of the external anal sphincter (EAS) was recorded during voluntary contraction elicited by local stimulation. The trials were carried out twice: combined (or not) with a mental distraction task (PASAT), Paced auditory serial additional test. Reaction time, latency between the stimulus and maximum EAS EMG activity, duration of the contraction, maximum EAS EMG activity, and the area under the EAS EMG activity curve were measured. Results The mental distraction task led to a 3.98 times greater reaction time (RT), (P = 0.00001 Wilcoxon's test). The RT increased from 217 (IQR: 170–270) to 779 msec (IQR: 550–1,025, P