TY  -  JOUR
AU  -  Garg, Lakshita
AU  -  Aman, Ifra
AU  -  Khan, Nahid
AU  -  Khan, Huma
AU  -  Asif, Mohd
AU  -  Aarfa, Aafrina
T1  -  Effect of electrical stimulation on sexual dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review
PY  -  2026
Y1  -  2026-05-01
DO  -  10.1723/4737.47524
JO  -  Journal of Sex- and Gender-Specific Medicine
JA  -  J Sex Gender Specif Med
VL  -  12
IS  -  2
SP  -  74
EP  -  82
PB  -  Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore
SN  -  2974-8623
Y2  -  2026/07/26
UR  -  http://dx.doi.org/10.1723/4737.47524
N2  -  Summary. Background. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a long-term inflammatory and demyelinating condition of the central nervous system, often linked to neurological, psychological, and sexual dysfunction (SD). SD in MS results from nerve damage, fatigue, discomfort, and mental aspects, but it continues to be overlooked and inadequately addressed. Techniques for electrical stimulation, including tibial nerve and pelvic floor stimulation, have emerged as effective non-invasive treatment alternatives. Objective. To assess the impact of electrical stimulation methods on enhancing sexual function and quality of life in people with MS. Methods. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English from January 2015 to July 2025 were investigated through PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL. Research involving adult MS patients undergoing any type of electrical stimulation for SD was included. Data extraction, quality assessment via the PEDro scale, and risk-of-bias evaluation employing Cochrane RoB 2 were performed independently by several reviewers. Results. Among 801 records, five RCTs satisfied the inclusion criteria. Interventions comprised transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, Bemer therapy, intravaginal electrical stimulation combined with pelvic floor muscle training, and sacral neuromodulation. Research indicated enhancements in female sexual function index (FSFI), international index of erectile function (IIEF), sexual desire, arousal, lubrication/erection, orgasm, satisfaction, and general quality of life, encompassing bladder and psychological results. Conclusion. Electrical stimulation demonstrates potential advantages for treating sexual dysfunction and enhancing quality of life in MS. Nevertheless, the evidence is constrained by small sample sizes, diverse protocols, and brief follow-up durations. More extensive and well-designed RCTs are required to develop standardized clinical protocols.
ER  -