title: A comparative study of pelvic floor muscle training in women with multiple sclerosis: its impact on lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare pelvic floor muscle training and a sham procedure for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life in women with multiple sclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five female patients with multiple sclerosis were randomized into two groups: a treatment group (n = 18) and a sham group (n = 17). The evaluation included use of the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form, and Qualiveen questionnaire. The intervention was performed twice per week for 12 weeks in both groups. The treatment group underwent pelvic floor muscle training with assistance from a vaginal perineometer and instructions to practice the exercises daily at home. The sham group received a treatment consisting of introducing a perineometer inside the vagina with no exercises required. Pre- and post-intervention data were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The evaluation results of the two groups were similar at baseline. At the end of the treatment, the treatment group reported fewer storage and voiding symptoms than the sham group. Furthermore, the differences found between the groups were significant improvements in the following scores in the treatment group: Overactive Bladder Questionnaire, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form, and the General Quality of Life, and Specific Impact of Urinary Problems domains of the Qualiveen questionnaire.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The improvement of lower urinary tract symptoms had a positive effect on the quality of life of women with multiple sclerosis who underwent pelvic floor muscle training, as the disease-specific of quality of life questionnaires demonstrated. This study reinforces the importance of assessing quality of life to judge the effectiveness of a treatment intervention.
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Urologia - Hospital das Clínicas Universidade de Campinas, Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz, Distrito de Barão Geraldo, SP, Brazil. adeliac@fcm.unicamp.br
authors.forename: Adélia Correia
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lúcio
authors.forename: Maria Carolina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Perissinoto
authors.forename: Ricardo Aydar
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Natalin
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prudente
authors.forename: Benito Pereira
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Damasceno
authors.forename: Carlos Arturo Levi
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: D'ancona
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*