Effects of Spinal Stabilization on the Pelvic Floor in Women With Multiple Sclerosis

Launched by ABANT IZZET BAYSAL UNIVERSITY · Jul 10, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study is testing whether adding spinal stabilization exercises that focus on the pelvic floor to pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) helps women with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have urinary symptoms. It’s a randomized trial with two groups: one does PFMT alone, and the other does PFMT plus spinal stabilization exercises aimed at improving core and pelvic floor control. The program runs for eight weeks, with supervised sessions three times per week and a home exercise plan, and researchers will compare urinary symptoms, bladder function, and pelvic floor strength before and after the program.

To be eligible, women aged 18–65 with MS and lower urinary tract symptoms may join if they have mild to moderate MS, no relapse in the past month, are mentally able to complete the tests (MMSE 24+), can perform pelvic floor contractions, and meet several safety criteria (for example, not pregnant, not on certain medications, and not having other major medical or pelvic problems). Exclusion criteria include other neurological diseases, significant body weight issues, active urinary infections, recent pelvic surgery, and other conditions that could affect urinary symptoms. If eligible, you’ll attend sessions at Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University in Turkey, undergo the assessments at the start and after eight weeks, and have your progress measured with questionnaires and physical tests to see if the additional spinal stabilization work provides added benefit.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Female participants aged between 18 and 65 years
• • Being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis by a specialist neurologist and having lower urinary system symptoms \[Overactive Bladder-V8 scale score ≥ 9 and having at least two of the lower urinary system symptoms (urinary incontinence, nocturia, daytime urination frequency \>8, storage symptoms such as sudden feeling of tightness, intermittent urination, slow urine flow and emptying symptoms such as incomplete emptying)
• • Being in the mild or moderate stage of the disease (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ˂ 6
• • No relapse experienced within the past month
• • Scoring 24 or above on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
• • Being literate
• • Willingness to voluntarily participate in the study
• • Ability to perform voluntary pelvic floor muscle contractions
• • No changes in medical treatment within the past three months
• • Ability to understand and cooperate with the assessments and interventions involved in the study
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Diagnosis of one or more neurological disorders other than Multiple Sclerosis
• • Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30
• • Diagnosis of overflow urinary incontinence
• • History of antimuscarinic medication use
• • Presence of advanced pelvic organ prolapse (stage ≥ 2)
• • Active urinary tract infection
• • History of cesarean section or vaginal delivery within the past 6 months
• • Diagnosis of any other neurological condition that may cause urinary incontinence
• • History of urological or gynecological surgery
• • History of malignancy
• • Currently pregnant or not sexually active (coitus negative)
• • Participation in exercise training or physical therapy for lower urinary tract symptoms within the past 6 months