Altunan, BengüGündoğdu, Aslı AksoyKurtoğlu Özçağlayan, Tuğba İlkemÜnal, A.Turgut, Nilda2022-05-112022-05-1120210301-1623https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-021-02804-yhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11776/4887Purpose: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neuroinflammatory disease of the central nervous system that involves different neurological areas. In addition to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), sexual dysfunction (SD), and psychopathological effects, MS sometimes seriously impairs the quality of life (QoL). We hypothesize that the pelvic floor exercise program (PFEP) could improve bladder, sexual function, depression, and QoL in MS patients. Methods: Patients diagnosed with MS completed the Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQoL-54) questionnaire, and either the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) or the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM). Maximum bladder volumes (MBV) and post-voiding residual (PVR) volumes were measured using ultrasonography. The patients who regularly completed the PFEP for 12 weeks were asked to fill out the questionnaires again, and their MBV and PVR were remeasured. Results: Seventy-two patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) were included in the study. Forty-two (58.3%) RRMS patients reached the end of the study. The patients’ post-PFEP average MBV statistically increased (p = 0.01). In contrast, no statistically significant difference was found in the PVR (p = 0.2). After exercise, the FSFI values in women increased (p = 0.02), and ICIQ-SF and BDI values in all the RRMS patients statistically decreased (p = 0.004, p = 0.01, respectively), but there was no improvement in the MSQoL-54 score (p > 0.05). Conclusion: PFEP, which causes a reduction in LUTS by enhancing the MBV of RRMS patients, can be seen as an investment in the future in terms of reducing depression in MS patients and preventing or delaying SD in women. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. part of Springer Nature.en10.1007/s11255-021-02804-yinfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessDepressionLower urinary tract symptomsMSQoL-54Multiple sclerosisPelvic floor exercise programSexual functionadultagedArticleBeck Depression Inventorybladder capacitydepressionechographyfemaleFemale Sexual Function IndexhumanIncontinence Questionnaire Short Formmajor clinical studymalemultiple sclerosisMultiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54pelvic floor muscle trainingpostvoid residual urine volumequestionnairescoring systemsexual dysfunctionsexual functionSexual Health Inventory for Men scoretherapy effecturine incontinencecomplicationkinesiotherapymiddle agedmultiple sclerosispelvis floorquality of lifesexual dysfunctionurine incontinenceAdultAgedExercise TherapyFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedMultiple SclerosisPelvic FloorQuality of LifeSexual Dysfunction, PhysiologicalUrinary IncontinenceArticle53610591065Q3WOS:0006210065000012-s2.0-8510176026433620664Q2