Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Jan 13, 2024
Date Accepted: Apr 30, 2024
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
The mechanism of improving urination and defecation dysfunction of the elderly: a protocol for finite element analysis of pelvic floor biomechanical models
ABSTRACT
Background:
The population is constantly aging, and most elderly people will experience many potential physiological changes as they age, leading to functional decline. Urinary and bowel dysfunction is the most common obstacle in elderly people. At present, the analysis of pelvic floor histological changes related to aging has not been fully elucidated, and the mechanism of improving intestinal control ability in elderly people is still unclear.
Objective:
The purpose of this article is to describe how the finite element method will be used to understand the mechanical characteristics and physiological changes of the pelvic cavity during the rehabilitation process, providing theoretical support for the mechanism of improving urination and defecation dysfunction in older individuals.
Methods:
We will collect magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer tomography (CT) data of the pelvic cavity of one male and one female volunteer over the age of 60 and utilize the finite element method to construct a three-dimensional computer simulation model of the pelvic cavity. By simulating different physiological states, such as the Valsalva maneuver and bowel movement, we will verify the accuracy of the constructed model and investigate the effects of different neuro-muscular functional changes and quantify the impact proportions of pelvic floor muscle group, core muscle group, and sacral nerve.
Results:
At present, we have completed the clinical registration of the China Clinical Trial Registration Center and collected MRI and CT data for an elderly male and female patient. Next, the construction and analysis of the finite element model will be established according to the plan.
Conclusions:
The results of this study will provide theoretical support for elucidating the mechanism of improving urination and defecation dysfunction through rehabilitation.
Citation
