Pelvic floor muscle activity and urinary leakage in women with multiple sclerosis
FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH URINARY INCONTINENCE AND EVALUATION OF PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLE ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
This study will see if pelvic floor muscle activity measured with surface EMG is linked to how severe urinary leakage is in women with multiple sclerosis.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 47 (estimated) |
| Ages | 30 Years to 50 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascıoglu Education and Research Hospital Organization Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Istanbul) |
| Trial ID | NCT07489794 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This cross-sectional study will enroll women with MS who report urinary incontinence and collect demographic and clinical data including MS type, disease duration, and EDSS score. Participants will complete standardized questionnaires on urinary symptoms, quality of life, physical activity, and fatigue. Pelvic floor muscle activity will be measured using surface electromyography (EMG) with biofeedback performed by trained physiotherapists. All assessments are completed in a single approximately 45-minute visit at the Pelvic Floor Health Center.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Women aged 30–50 with multiple sclerosis (per 2017 McDonald criteria) who have urinary incontinence, EDSS below 6.5, stable medications for at least 6 months, and no communication barriers are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People unlikely to benefit include men, women outside the 30–50 age range, those with EDSS ≥6.5, recent pregnancy or delivery, active urinary tract infection, pelvic organ prolapse, recent MS medication changes, or those unable to attend an in-person visit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could help tailor pelvic floor therapies and strategies to reduce urinary leakage and improve quality of life for women with MS.
How similar studies have performed: Surface EMG and questionnaire-based approaches have revealed altered pelvic floor activity in non-MS populations and small MS cohorts, but larger confirmatory studies are limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) according to the 2017 revised McDonald criteria. Female patients aged 30-50 years (age range with higher prevalence of urinary incontinence in MS). Experiencing urinary incontinence (UI) symptoms according to the International Continence Society (ICS) definition. EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) score below 6.5. Patients with no communication difficulties. - Exclusion Criteria: MS patients who do not provide consent to participate in the study. MS patients who have had a medication change within the last 6 months. Pregnant MS patients. History of vaginal or cesarean delivery within the last 6 months. Pelvic organ prolapse. Urinary tract infection \-
Where this trial is running
Istanbul
- Istanbul, Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşçıoğlu City Hospital, Turkey — Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Büşra Aydın Erkılıç, MSc
- Email: bsrr.aydinn@gmail.com
- Phone: 905062214052
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.