Virtual Reality in the Treatment of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Women With Multiple Sclerosis

Effects of Virtual Reality in the Treatment of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Women With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The purpose of the current randomized clinical trial was to compare the effectiveness of virtual reality versus posterior tibial nerve stimulation on the improvement of pelvic floor dysfunctions in women with multiple sclerosis.

• Design: Randomized Clinical Trial. Objective: to determine the effects of virtual reality versus posterior tibial nerve stimulation and muscle activation exercises on the improvement of pelvic floor dysfunctions in women with multiple sclerosis.
• Methods and Measures: forty five women will be randomly assigned to one of three groups.
• Intervention: For 8-week, the group 1 will undergo treatment with virtual reality (2/week), the group 2 will receive posterior tibial nerve stimulation (2/week) and the group 3 will receive muscle activation exercises of the pelvic floor.
• Main Outcome Measures: assessment of pelvic floor muscles function (strength and muscle tone), urodynamic studies, and validated questionnaires data will be collected at baseline, and 1 week after the last therapy application. Mixed-model analyses of variance will be used to examine the effects of the treatment on each outcome measure.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
• Presence of pelvic floor dysfunction
• Acceptance participation
• Not undergoing another physical therapy treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non-acceptance of participation
• Mental illness
• Interruption of adherence to protocolized treatment sessions
• Indication of surgical treatment in the pelvic floor