A scoping review of abdominal wall functional assessment in patients with hernias

This scoping review identified substantial variation in assessments of abdominal wall function. The evaluation of abdominal muscle strength remains dominant, but there is inconsistency regarding the tools and tests used, including isokinetic or isometric dynamometers, surface electromyography (sEMG), and clinical tests such as double leg lowering and trunk raising tests, assessed at different postoperative timepoints. No comprehensive or standardized method currently exists to evaluate abdominal wall function across domains and timepoints, underscoring a critical gap in clinical and research practice. Future research needs to develop or modify existing assessment methods to reflect abdominal wall function more holistically.