[Pelvic floor muscles training, electrical stimulation, bladder training and lifestyle interventions to manage lower urinary tract dysfunction in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review]

Effects of pelvic floor muscle training applied with telerehabilitation in patients with multiple sclerosis having lower urinary track symptoms: A randomized controlled trial

In this study, the researchers aimed to investigate the effects of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) applied with telerehabilitation on urinary symptoms, quality of life, and subjective perception of improvement and satisfaction in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients having lower urinary tract symptoms. Patients were randomly divided into PFMT (n:21) and control (n:21) groups. The PFMT group received PFMT via telerehabilitation for 8 weeks and lifestyle advice, while the control group received only lifestyle advice. Although lifestyle advice alone was not effective, PFMT applied with telerehabilitation was an effective method in the management of lower urinary tract symptoms in MS patients. PFMT applied with telerehabilitation can be considered as an alternative method.

Observation of the effect of physical rehabilitation therapy combined with the medication on pelvic floor dysfunction

We observed the effects of physical rehabilitation therapy combined with medication on pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). We collected the medical records of 84 maternal patients with PFD who received treatment at the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University between May 2015 and October 2016. These patients were randomly divided into two groups, the control group (n=42) and observation group (n=42). In the control group, patients received conventional physical rehabilitation therapy while in observation group, patients received the shixiao powder combined with siwu decoction in addition to the physical rehabilitation. The therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups. The total effective rate of the observation group was 97.6%, which was significantly higher than 78.6% in the control group (P<0.05). In observation group, the index scores of pelvic floor function under rest state, such as electromyo-graphy amplitude, contraction force, coordinate strength and urine flow rate, were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). The rate of Grade II perineal muscle strength in the observation group was 7.32%, which was significantly lower than 47.62% in control group (P<0.05). In observation group, the rates of Grade III and Grade IV muscle strength were respectively 43.91 and 29.26%, which were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). Before the administration of treatment, there were no significant differences in the comparison of the urinary incontinence and sexual life quality of patients between the two groups (P>0.05). In observation group, after treatment, the rehabilitation effects of urinary incontinence and sexual life quality at 3 months post-delivery were significantly better than those in control group (P<0.05). Before treatment, there were no significant differences in the comparison of levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) between the two groups (P>0.05), however, after treatment, the levels of CRP and IL-10 of patients in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.05). In the observation group, the incidence rate of complications (7.14%) were significantly lower than that in control group (23.81%; P<0.05). Therefore, physical rehabilitation therapy combined with the shixiao powder and siwu decoction exhibits significant efficacy in the treatment of PFD by effectively improving the pelvic floor functions, increasing perineal muscle strength, and decreasing expression levels of inflammatory factors, which can significantly ameliorate life quality and reduce the incidence rate of complications. Thus, this treatment method shows great application value in clinical practice.

Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women With Multiple Sclerosis

Purpose

To report the prevalence and risk factors of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and the prevalence of intrinsic sphincter deficiency in women with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study. Female patients with MS, followed for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) during a 15-year period were included. Demographic data, MS history, expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score at the urodynamic visit, obstetrical past, birth weight, LUTS, and urodynamic findings were collected. SUI was defined as incontinence during cough, or any effort. A maximum urethral closure pressure less than 30 cm H₂O defined intrinsic sphincter deficiency.

Results

We included 363 women with a mean age of 46.7±10.8 years and a mean disease duration of 12.9±8.7 years. The incidence of relapsing remitting MS, a secondary progressive form, and a primary progressive form was 60.6%, 32.8%, and 6.6%, respectively. The prevalence of SUI was 31.4%. The prevalence of intrinsic sphincter deficiency was 1.4% and 0.8% of these patients had a SUI (P=0.300). In a multivariate analysis, women with a SUI had significantly higher birth weight (P=0.030), a pelvic organ prolapse (P=0.021), urgent urinary incontinence (P=0.006), a lower EDSS score (P=0.019), and a weaker containing effort (P<0.001).

Conclusions

The prevalence of SUI in women with MS was 31.4%. This symptom could affect the quality of life of women with MS.

Effects of Physiotherapy in the Treatment of Neurogenic Bladder in Patients Infected With Human T-Lymphotropic Virus 1

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of physiotherapy for urinary manifestations in patients with human T-lymphotropic virus 1-associated lower urinary tract dysfunction.

METHODS

Open clinical trial was conducted with 21 patients attending the physiotherapy clinic of the Hospital Universitário, Bahia, Brazil. Combinations of behavioral therapy, perineal exercises, and intravaginal or intra-anal electrical stimulation were used.

RESULTS

The mean age was 54 ± 12 years and 67% were female. After treatment, there was an improvement in symptoms of urinary urgency, frequency, incontinence, nocturia, and in the sensation of incomplete emptying (P < .001). There was also a reduction in the overactive bladder symptom score from 10 ± 4 to 6 ± 3 (P < .001) and an increase in the perineal muscle strength (P <.001). The urodynamic parameters improved, with reduction in the frequency of patients with detrusor hyperactivity from 57.9% to 42.1%, detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia from 31.6% to 5.3%, detrusor hypocontractility from 15.8% to 0%, and detrusor areflexia from 10.5% to 0%, with positive repercussions in the quality of life in all patients.

CONCLUSION

Physiotherapy was effective in cases of human T-lymphotropic virus 1-associated neurogenic bladder, reducing symptoms, increasing perineal muscle strength, and improving urodynamic parameters and quality of life.

[Physiotherapy and neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction in multiple sclerosis patients: a randomized controlled trial]

AIM

This randomized controlled trial compare the efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training vs. transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Inclusion criteria were EDSS score<7 and presence of lower urinary tract symptoms. Exclusion criteria were multiple sclerosis relapse during the study, active urinary tract infection and pregnancy. The primary outcome was quality of life (SF-Qualiveen questionnaire). Secondary outcomes included overactive bladder (USP questionnaire) score and frequency of urgency episodes (3-day bladder diary). Sample size was calculated after 18 patients were included. Data analysis was blinded. Each patient received 9 sessions of 30 minutes weekly. Patients were randomized in pelvic floor muscles exercises with biofeedback group (muscle endurance and relaxation) or transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation group (rectangular alternative biphasic current with low frequency).

RESULTS

A total of 31 patients were included. No difference appeared between groups for quality of life, overactive bladder and frequency of urgency episodes (respectively P=0.197, P=0.532 et P=0.788). These parameters were significantly improved in pelvic floor muscle training group (n=16) (respectively P=0.004, P=0.002 et P=0.006) and in transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation group (n=15) (respectively P=0.001, P=0.001 et P=0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

Pelvic floor muscle training and transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation improved in the same way symptoms related to urgency in MS patients with mild disability.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2.