title: The effect of pelvic floor muscle training alone or in combination with electrostimulation in the treatment of sexual dysfunction in women with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sexual dysfunction (SD) affects up to 80% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) play an important role in the sexual function of these patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this paper is to evaluate the impact of a rehabilitation program to treat lower urinary tract symptoms on SD of women with MS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty MS women were randomly allocated to one of three groups: pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) with electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback and sham neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES) (Group I), PFMT with EMG biofeedback and intravaginal NMES (Group II), and PFMT with EMG biofeedback and transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) (Group III). Assessments, before and after the treatment, included: PFM function, PFM tone, flexibility of the vaginal opening and ability to relax the PFMs, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After treatment, all groups showed improvements in all domains of the PERFECT scheme. PFM tone and flexibility of the vaginal opening was lower after the intervention only for Group II. All groups improved in arousal, lubrication, satisfaction and total score domains of the FSFI questionnaire.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that PFMT alone or in combination with intravaginal NMES or TTNS contributes to the improvement of SD.
authors.affiliation: University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Brazil adelialucio@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lúcio
authors.affiliation: University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Brazil.
authors.forename: C A L
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: D'Ancona
authors.affiliation: University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Brazil.
authors.forename: M H B M
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Brazil.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Perissinotto
authors.affiliation: State University of Campinas Medical School, Brazil.
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Damasceno
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D058765:Neurofeedback / Q000379:methods; D017773:Pelvic Floor; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Multiple sclerosis; electrostimulation; pelvic floor muscle training; sexual dysfunction