Abstract：
BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common symptom that affects 40-90% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Previous studies have highlighted the negative impact of sexual dysfunction in the mental health status and overall quality of life in patients with MS.
METHODS: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) in the primary SD symptoms in patients with MS. A total of 40 participants were randomized (1:1 ratio) to either TTNS or Sham group and received three 20 min sessions over the course of two months. Pre and post intervention SD was evaluated using the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy Questionnaire (MISQ-15).
RESULTS: Statistically significant improvements in the aspects of primary sexual dysfunction were observed in the TTNS group pre-post intervention (specifically erectile function (for males)/vaginal lubrication (for females) (p < .001), orgasm quality and satisfaction for both male and female patients (p < .001), sexual desire (p < .05) and bladder related symptomatology (p < .005). In the sham group pre-post intervention, the only observed improvement was in the sexual desire aspect (p < .05). Post intervention the groups significantly differed erectile function/vaginal lubrication and orgasm quality and satisfaction (p < .05).
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underline the efficacy of TTNS in improving primary SD symptoms as well as bladder problems in both male and female patients with MS. TTNS demonstrated significant improvement in the following domains: erectile function, vaginal lubrication, orgasm quality, satisfaction, bladder-related symptoms, and sexual desire.
METHODS: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) in the primary SD symptoms in patients with MS. A total of 40 participants were randomized (1:1 ratio) to either TTNS or Sham group and received three 20 min sessions over the course of two months. Pre and post intervention SD was evaluated using the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy Questionnaire (MISQ-15).
RESULTS: Statistically significant improvements in the aspects of primary sexual dysfunction were observed in the TTNS group pre-post intervention (specifically erectile function (for males)/vaginal lubrication (for females) (p < .001), orgasm quality and satisfaction for both male and female patients (p < .001), sexual desire (p < .05) and bladder related symptomatology (p < .005). In the sham group pre-post intervention, the only observed improvement was in the sexual desire aspect (p < .05). Post intervention the groups significantly differed erectile function/vaginal lubrication and orgasm quality and satisfaction (p < .05).
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underline the efficacy of TTNS in improving primary SD symptoms as well as bladder problems in both male and female patients with MS. TTNS demonstrated significant improvement in the following domains: erectile function, vaginal lubrication, orgasm quality, satisfaction, bladder-related symptoms, and sexual desire.
摘要：
背景：性功能障碍（SD）是一种常见症状，影响40-90％的多发性硬化症（MS）患者。先前的研究强调了性功能障碍对MS患者心理健康状况和整体生活质量的负面影响。
方法：本研究的目的是检查经皮胫神经刺激（TTNS）对MS患者原发性SD症状的影响。共有40名参与者被随机分配（比例为1：1）到TTNS或Sham组，并在两个月的时间内接受了三个20分钟的疗程。使用多发性硬化亲密关系问卷（MISQ-15）评估干预前后的SD。
结果：在TTNS组干预前（特别是勃起功能（男性）/阴道润滑（女性）（p<.001），观察到原发性性功能障碍方面的统计学显着改善。男性和女性患者的性高潮质量和满意度(p<.001)，性欲(p<.05)和膀胱相关症状(p<.005)。在假手术组干预前，唯一观察到的改善是在性欲方面（p<0.05）。干预后，两组患者的勃起功能/阴道润滑、性高潮质量和满意度显著不同（p<0.05）。
结论：我们的发现强调了TTNS在改善男性和女性MS患者的原发性SD症状以及膀胱问题方面的功效。TTNS在以下领域表现出显着改善：勃起功能，阴道润滑，性高潮质量，满意,膀胱相关症状,和性欲。
方法：本研究的目的是检查经皮胫神经刺激（TTNS）对MS患者原发性SD症状的影响。共有40名参与者被随机分配（比例为1：1）到TTNS或Sham组，并在两个月的时间内接受了三个20分钟的疗程。使用多发性硬化亲密关系问卷（MISQ-15）评估干预前后的SD。
结果：在TTNS组干预前（特别是勃起功能（男性）/阴道润滑（女性）（p<.001），观察到原发性性功能障碍方面的统计学显着改善。男性和女性患者的性高潮质量和满意度(p<.001)，性欲(p<.05)和膀胱相关症状(p<.005)。在假手术组干预前，唯一观察到的改善是在性欲方面（p<0.05）。干预后，两组患者的勃起功能/阴道润滑、性高潮质量和满意度显著不同（p<0.05）。
结论：我们的发现强调了TTNS在改善男性和女性MS患者的原发性SD症状以及膀胱问题方面的功效。TTNS在以下领域表现出显着改善：勃起功能，阴道润滑，性高潮质量，满意,膀胱相关症状,和性欲。
