Sexual health is a vital part of life, yet women with Multiple Sclerosis often face barriers that make intimacy difficult. A recent analysis looked at counseling interventions designed to help these women. The approach, known as the PLISSIT model, guides conversations about sexual needs and solutions. The study combined data from 232 women to see if this support made a difference. The results showed a high and positive effect on their sexual lives. The team measured this using a specific score that reached 0.927. This suggests the counseling was very helpful for the participants involved. No safety issues or side effects were reported during the review. The women did not stop the program due to problems. However, the study did not find a statistically significant result. This means the numbers did not meet the strict math standards usually required to prove a finding is real. The researchers noted that the sample size was small and the groups were not perfectly similar. They suggest that future research with larger numbers and more consistent groups is needed. Until then, the positive trend remains an encouraging sign for those seeking help.
Meta-analysis finds PLISSIT counseling improves sexual life in women with MSCounseling helps sexual life for women with Multiple Sclerosis
AI-generated summary of the cited source, checked by automated accuracy review. How we work
Key Takeaway
Consider PLISSIT counseling for sexual life in women with MS, but evidence is not statistically significant.
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effect of counseling interventions based on the PLISSIT model on the sexual life of women with multiple sclerosis (MS). The analysis included 232 women across multiple studies. The primary outcome was sexual life, measured by various scales.
The pooled effect size was high and positive (Hedges' g = 0.927), suggesting a substantial improvement in sexual life with PLISSIT-based counseling. However, the 95% confidence interval ranged from -1.122 to 2.976, and the p-value was 0.375, indicating that the result was not statistically significant. This wide confidence interval reflects considerable uncertainty.
The authors acknowledge several limitations, including the lack of statistically significant results and the need for future research with larger sample sizes and more homogeneous study groups. The comparator was not reported, and no information on adverse events, funding, or conflicts of interest was provided.
For clinicians, this meta-analysis suggests that PLISSIT-based counseling may have a positive effect on sexual life in women with MS, but the evidence is not definitive. The findings should be interpreted cautiously given the non-significant result and the small sample size. Larger, well-designed trials are needed to confirm these findings and guide practice.
What this means for you:
Counseling using the PLISSIT model showed a high and positive effect on sexual life for women with Multiple Sclerosis. More on Multiple Sclerosis
Aging impacts multiple sclerosis pathobiology by shifting inflammation toward chronic, compartmentalized neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration
New research explores how aging changes multiple sclerosis treatment
This narrative review examines the impact of aging on the immunological and neuroinflammatory microenvironment in older patients with multip…
As people age, multiple sclerosis can change from sudden flare-ups to a slow, steady progression of nerve damage.
Menopause does not appear to be a distinct clinical inflection point for multiple sclerosis progression
Menopause does not appear to be a turning point for MS
This narrative review examines the impact of menopause and biological aging on women with multiple sclerosis. The authors conclude that whil…
While menopause can make symptoms harder to manage, it is not a clear biological turning point for the progression of multiple sclerosis.
Nutrient and metabolite interventions for neurodegenerative diseases show inconsistent clinical translation
Dietary nutrients show mixed results for brain diseases in lab and early human data
This narrative review synthesizes evidence on nutrients and metabolites for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic la…
Nutrients like vitamins and marine compounds show promise in labs, but human evidence for brain diseases remains inconsistent and unclear.
NINJ1 targeting shows potential for multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions but faces significant knowledge gaps
NINJ1 targeting shows promise for multiple sclerosis and other brain injuries
This narrative review examines NINJ1 targeting as a therapeutic strategy for multiple sclerosis, ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injury, sp…
A review suggests NINJ1 targeting could help treat multiple sclerosis, stroke, and other brain injuries, though more research is needed.
View Original Abstract ↓
BACKGROUND: Women with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) face significant challenges in their sexual life, including physical limitations and emotional barriers. The PLISSIT model offers a structured framework for counselors to address these issues effectively. This study aimed to investigate the effects of counseling interventions based on the PLISSIT model on the sexual life of women with MS through randomized controlled trials.
METHODS: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis study. Databases such as Google Scholar, OpenAIRE, Web of Science, Social Sciences Citation Index, Academic Search Ultimate, Complementary Index, Scopus, CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE, and PubMed were searched for English-language studies without year restrictions up to February 2024. The PRISMA guidelines were followed. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3 software was used for data analysis. Two researchers independently assessed the quality of the included studies using the Cochrane Collaboration tool.
RESULTS: Three randomized controlled trials with a total of 232 participants were included in this study. Counseling based on the PLISSIT model was found to have a high and positive effect on the sexual life of women with MS (Hedges' g = 0.927, 95 % CI = -1.122 to 2.976, p = 0.375).
CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that sexual counseling based on the PLISSIT model may have a positive impact on the sexual life of women with MS, although statistically significant results were not obtained. Future research with larger sample sizes and more homogeneous study groups may provide clearer results.
Intravenous tenecteplase improves functional outcomes but increases hemorrhage risk in non-large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke
Tenecteplase improves stroke recovery but increases bleeding risk in late treatment window
Related in Neurology
Rapid advancements in imaging and blood-based biomarkers are transforming the diagnosis and management of ADRD
New guidelines help doctors tell delirium from dementia
This clinical guideline provides a narrative review on the evolving diagnostic and treatment landscape for Alzheimer's disease and related d…
Delirium is acute and fluctuating; dementia is chronic. New guidelines help doctors tell them apart.
ACTH and vigabatrin achieved full seizure control in a patient with Ververi-Brady syndrome
ACTH and Vigabatrin Show Promise for Rare Epilepsy Syndrome
This case report describes a 5-month-old male infant with Ververi-Brady syndrome and infantile epileptic spasms syndrome. The patient achiev…
A new gene variant linked to Ververi-Brady syndrome showed positive results when treated with a combination of ACTH and vigabatrin.
Aging impacts multiple sclerosis pathobiology by shifting inflammation toward chronic, compartmentalized neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration
New research explores how aging changes multiple sclerosis treatment
This narrative review examines the impact of aging on the immunological and neuroinflammatory microenvironment in older patients with multip…
As people age, multiple sclerosis can change from sudden flare-ups to a slow, steady progression of nerve damage.
Tirofiban Adjunct Therapy Improves Outcomes in Patients with Inadequate Tenecteplase Response
Trial shows tirofiban improves outcomes for some stroke patients
Intravenous tirofiban significantly improves 90-day functional outcomes for acute ischemic stroke patients failing initial tenecteplase ther…
A new clinical trial suggests that adding tirofiban can improve recovery rates for certain types of stroke patients who do not respond well …
From Other Specialties
Meningeal Immune System Offers New Target for Glioblastoma Immunotherapy
New approach targets the immune system to treat brain tumors
This systematic review explores how targeting the meningeal immune system, including dural lymphatics and rBAMs, could overcome current barr…
A new strategy focuses on the area where brain tumors meet the body's defenses to improve how immunotherapy works for glioblastoma.
A 6 dimension and 42 item system provides early risk assessment for high-risk diabetic feet
Experts Develop New Risk Assessment System for Diabetic Feet
This expert consultation and guideline describes the development of an early risk assessment system for high-risk diabetic feet. The consens…
A new assessment system identifies risk factors like nerve damage and circulation to help manage and prevent complications in patients with …
Postoperative AKI occurs in half of type A aortic dissection surgeries, meta-analysis finds
Factors Linked to Kidney Injury After Aortic Dissection Surgery
This meta-analysis of 44 studies (11,983 patients) found that 50.72% of patients undergoing surgery for Stanford type A aortic dissection de…
Over half of patients undergoing surgery for a specific type of aortic dissection develop acute kidney injury, with several risk factors ide…
Social and emotional skills training shows non-significant reductions in loneliness among children and adolescents
Social and Emotional Training Shows Promise for Youth Loneliness
This meta-analysis of 18 studies evaluated interventions targeting loneliness, including social and emotional skills training, in youth aged…
New research looks at how social and emotional skills training can help reduce feelings of loneliness in children and teenagers.