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Research summary · AI summary · not yet reviewedHuman studyNot reportedPublished in a peer-reviewed journal
Inhibitory rTMS Over the Vertex in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
In a study of 45 patients with MS, those who received active rTMS showed a significant decrease in bladder symptom scores after 12 weeks compared to those receiving sham treatment. Improvements were also noted in bowel and sexual function domains, with no serious adverse events reported and full participant retention during the trial.
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- #MSResearch
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This plain-English summary was written by AI from a published abstract and may contain errors. It is not medical advice. Read the original study and talk to your MS team before making decisions about treatment.
- Human efficacy
- Not established from this source
- Mechanism
- Not reported
- Evidence strength
- Not graded
- Outcome
- Not reported
Why it matters
These findings suggest that rTMS may be an effective intervention for managing pelvic floor dysfunction in MS, impacting areas beyond just bladder control. However, the effects are preliminary and need further validation.
What this does not prove
The evidence base for the effectiveness of cortical neuromodulation in MS is limited, particularly regarding pelvic floor dysfunction, which encompasses multiple symptom areas. This trial’s findings do not confirm causal mechanisms or long-term efficacy.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Not reported
- Participants / samples
- 45 · basis not reported
- Randomised
- Not reported
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- All
- Publication date
- 2026-10-17
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
- Biological target
- Not reported
- Pathway
- Not reported
- Population
- Patients with definite multiple sclerosis (MS) and actionable bladder symptoms (n=45, EDSS ≤6.0)
- Size of effect
- Not reported
- Secondary endpoints
- Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction (NBD) score; Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale 29 (MSIS-29); Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ-19); Overactive Bladder Questionnaire-Short Form (OAB-q SF)
- MRI endpoints
- Not reported
- Biomarkers
- Not reported
- Safety
- No serious adverse events occurred.
Original sources
Supporting passages (13)
sample size45
relevant ms typesAll
publication date2026-10-17
interventionOBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short term efficacy and safety of inhibitory (1 Hz) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the vertex (Cz) in MS-related pelvic floor dysfunction.
primary endpointABSST, Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction (NBD) score, Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale 29(MSIS-29), Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ- 19), Overactive Bladder Questionnaire-Short Form (OAB -q SF) were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks post treatment.
follow up12 weeks post treatment
populationMETHODS: Forty-five patients with definite MS (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≤6.0) and actionable bladder symptoms Screening Tool (ABSST≥8) were randomized 2:1 in a double-blind, sham-controlled single centre trial to active (n = 30) or sham (n = 15) stimulation: 1 Hz rTMS at 90-100% resting motor threshold (900 pulses) over Cz across 10 weekday sessions; sham used a 90° tilted coil with synchronized scalp electrodes.
secondary endpointsABSST, Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction (NBD) score, Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale 29(MSIS-29), Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ- 19), Overactive Bladder Questionnaire-Short Form (OAB -q SF) were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks post treatment.
safety signalsNo serious adverse events occurred.
findingsRESULTS: ABSST fell from 18.6 ± 4.5 to 13.9 ± 5.1 with active stimulation versus 17.8 ± 3.8 to 17.1 ± 3.5 with sham (ANCOVA adjusted difference -3.98, 95%CI -6.75 to -1.22; standardized effect -0.93; p = 0.006). After baseline and multiplicity adjustment, benefit persisted for bowel (NBD; FDR adjusted p = 0.004) and sexual (MSISQ-19; p = 0.036) domains, but not OAB-q SF or MSIS-29. Bladder improvement correlated with bowel (r = 0.464) and sexual (r = 0.374) improvement. No serious adverse events occurred. All 45 participants completed all ten sessions and the 12 week assessment.
limitationsTitle: Short term effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the medial sensorimotor cortex for neurogenic pelvic floor dysfunction in multiple sclerosis: a randomized, double blind, sham controlled trial.
peer reviewedPublication types: Journal Article
subjectsMETHODS: Forty-five patients with definite MS (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≤6.0) and actionable bladder symptoms Screening Tool (ABSST≥8) were randomized 2:1 in a double-blind, sham-controlled single centre trial to active (n = 30) or sham (n = 15) stimulation: 1 Hz rTMS at 90-100% resting motor threshold (900 pulses) over Cz across 10 weekday sessions; sham used a 90° tilted coil with synchronized scalp electrodes.
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