NCT07485556

Effects of Pelvic Floor Strengthening and Relaxation Exercises in Women Diagnosed With Multiple Sclerosis

Comparison of the Effects of Pelvic Floor Strengthening and Relaxation Exercises Delivered Via Telerehabilitation in Women Diagnosed With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Study

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 24 (actual)
• Sponsor: Gazi University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of pelvic floor strengthening and relaxation exercises on lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD), depression and quality of life (QoL) in women with Multiple Sclerosis (WwMS). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Are pelvic floor relaxation exercises effective on lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD)? * Is there a difference in the effect on LUTD symptoms between pelvic floor strengthening exercises and relaxation exercises? Participants were divided into three groups: pelvic floor strengthening, relaxation and combined (both pelvic floor strengthening and relaxation together) exercise groups. Participants were called every week for 8 weeks and an online session was held one day per week. Participants were asked to perform the exercises 3 times a day, every other day. Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6), Incontinence Impact Questioonaire (IIQ-7), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short form (ICIQ-SF), Overactive Bladder Assessment Form (OAB-V8), 24-Hour Voiding Diary and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) were used to evaluate.

Detailed description

In MS, neurogenic bladder and lower urinary tract dysfunctions (LUTD) are common symptoms observed in approximately 75% of people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) . Untreated urinary dysfunctions may lead to lower urinary tract infections, renal damage, emotional stress, sleep disturbances, social isolation, and a decline in quality of life (QoL) 6, 7. To manage neurogenic LUTD, the conservative treatment approaches constitute the first-line therapy for symptoms. Pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) have important role for treatment of urinary incontinence (UI) and neurogenic LUTD. Tension and spasm in the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) can lead to a variety of symptoms that negatively impact QoL, including voiding dysfunction, pain, sexual dysfunction, and anorectal disorders. Inadequate relaxation of the pelvic floor during micturition may result in symptoms such as urinary frequency, post-void residual urine, urgency, increased daytime voiding, and urge UI. Therefore, relaxation exercises targeting the PFM, as well as comprehensive pelvic floor rehabilitation, can be utilized in the management of these symptoms While PFM strengthening protocols have been utilized in the management of neurogenic LUTD in women with MS (WwMS), there is currently no therapeutic program in the literature that combines both relaxation and strengthening exercises applied simultaneously to the PFM. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a combined exercise protocol-targeting both relaxation and strengthening of the PFM-on neurogenic LUTD and depression in WwMS.

Conditions

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Neurogenic Bladder Disorder
• Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Pelvic Floor Strengthening Exercises	Patients received PFM strengthening exercises and behavioral modification therapies. Strengthening exercises consisted of maximal voluntary PFM contractions held for 5 seconds (fast-twitch training), and endurance exercises involved sustained contractions for 15 seconds (slow-twitch training). Ten repetitions were considered as one set. The number of sets was gradually increased-up to a maximum of four sets per session-based on muscle fatigue and adherence, as assessed during weekly online follow-ups. Patients were instructed to perform the exercises every other day. Weekly online sessions were conducted with each patient to monitor adherence, assess for any adverse effects, and adjust or progress the exercise program as needed. The intervention was carried out over a period of 8 weeks.
OTHER	Pelvic Floor Relaxation Exercises	The patients were prescribed a total of eight relaxation exercises. These exercises included: Cat-Cow (spinal stretching) exercise, lumbar extensor muscles combined with PFM stretching (Balasana, Child's Pose), piriformis stretch, hip flexor stretch, PFM relaxation in a squat position (Malasana, Garland Pose), hip adductor stretch, Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana), and supine pelvic floor relaxation (Supta Baddha Konasana, Reclining Butterfly Pose). The exercises were demonstrated to the patients during a video-based online session by a physiotherapist, who also instructed the patients to repeat the exercises to ensure proper technique. Patients were asked to perform each relaxation exercise for 20 seconds, repeating them 3 to 4 times. The number of repetitions and progression of the exercises were increased weekly based on the patient's tolerance.
OTHER	Combined Pelvic Floor Exercises	The patients were prescribed both pelvic floor relaxation and strengthening exercises. The pelvic floor exercises were given in the form of strengthening, endurance and relaxation exercises, similar to those in Group 1 and 2. Patients were instructed to perform the strengthening and relaxation exercises alternately, allowing rest intervals between exercises.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-02-02
• Primary completion: 2022-12-15
• Completion: 2022-12-15
• First posted: 2026-03-20
• Last updated: 2026-03-20

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)