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Comparison of Craniosacral Therapy vs Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

A Comparison of Craniosacral Therapy vs Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for the Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03213522
Enrollment
30
Registered
2017-07-11
Start date
2017-04-10
Completion date
2018-04-09
Last updated
2017-07-11

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis, Bladder Dysfunction, Urinary Incontinence, Overactive Bladder

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of CST for the treatment of LUTS in patients with MS and evaluate the acute effects compared to PFPT. A. Objectives To examine the effect of CST as compared to PFPT on QOL, SEMG resting biofeedback readings, and PVR ultrasonography measures in patients with MS and LUTS. B. Hypotheses / Research Question(s) It is hypothesized that patients who receive CST will demonstrate improved QOL, bladder control and ability to empty bladder as compared to those who receive PFPT.

Detailed description

The purpose of this study is to determine if Craniosacral Therapy is an effective therapy for treating bladder dysfunction in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). It will be compared to standard care for the treatment of bladder dysfunction, which is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy. Bladder dysfunctions are extremely common in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. One of the most common symptoms of bladder dysfunction is called over-active bladder. Over- active bladder can be described by increased urges to urinate and frequency of urination, especially at night. Other common symptoms are: leakage of urine, with or without activity; inability to hold urine; and a decreased ability to empty bladder when urinating.

Interventions

Educating the PFPT group on therapeutic exercise, which includes, but not limited to, the pelvic brace, pelvic floor muscle exercise, and diaphragmatic breathing. If the patient is presenting with hypertonia of lower extremity muscles and/or muscles connecting to or part of the pelvic floor, the patient may be instructed on gentle static stretching and/or treated with passive stretching and diaphragmatic breathing.

Modified Upledger Institute 10-step protocol.

Sponsors

CentraState Medical Center
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis * Currently have the following symptoms for at least three (3) months or longer: frequent urination, increased urge to urinate, nighttime urination, loss/leakage of urine with or without activity, and/or problems emptying your bladder.

Exclusion criteria

* Unable or unwilling to give consent to be treated * Unable or unwilling to cover your portion of physical therapy treatment (i.e. co-pays and/or deductibles) * Cannot speak or read English * Have NOT had any urinary symptoms for at least three (3) months * Do not have Multiple Sclerosis; or have NOT been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis * Take medication to treat your urinary symptoms; or have taken medication in the past three (3) months to treat your urinary symptoms * Use an indwelling catheter (i.e. tube inserted into your bladder for continuous urine drainage); or you require intermittent catheterization * Currently are experiencing any of the following: shooting or radiating pain in your back or abdomen; pain that is not relieved with body position and/or medication; nausea; decreased appetite; pain with bowel movements or urination; and/or any symptom that is new and/or of unexplained onset (i.e. you do not know why it started or when it started) * Currently have cancer/tumors (i.e. tumors in the spine, brain, pelvis, etc.) and/or aneurysms (i.e. abdominal aortic aneurysm) * Received Botox injections in the past three (3) months * Received Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy and/or Craniosacral Therapy in the past three (3) months

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
PFDI-20Change from baseline PFDI-20 after six weeks of interventionPelvic floor distress inventory self-report questionnaire
PFIQ-7Change from baseline PFIQ-7 after six weeks of interventionPelvic floor incontinence questionnaire self-report

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Resting SEMGChange from baseline Resting SEMG after six weeks of interventionsurface electromyographic reading, resting only
Systolic BPChange from baseline Systolic BP after six weeks of interventionblood pressure
MSQOL-54Change from baseline MSQOL-54 after six weeks of interventionMultiple Sclerosis Quality of Life self-report questionnaire
PulseChange from pre-intervention to post-intervention at each of six intervention sessionspulse
Diastolic BPChange from baseline Diastolic BP after six weeks of interventionblood pressure
Post void residual volumeChange from baseline PVR after six weeks of interventionPVR measurement

Countries

United States

Contacts

Primary ContactDanielle T Robbins, DPT
drobbins@centrastate.com7322942700

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026