Physiotherapy Approaches for Sexual Dysfunction Management in Adults With Spinal Cord Injury: An Observational Cross Sectional Analysis.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-altering event that is usually associated with loss of motor and sensory function, as well as sexual impairment. Materials and Methodology: The study was conducted in Multi-disciplinary hospitals and tertiary care centers in and around Pune. The authors administered questionnaires via Google Forms to 113 practicing physiotherapists in and around Pune. Physiotherapists were asked 23 questions about awareness of sexual dysfunction in males as well as females with SCI. It included 13 questions for male SD (Sexual Dysfunction) and 10 for Female SD. Descriptive statistics and MS Excel were used for data analysis and the results were obtained. Results: 61% of physiotherapists are aware that they have a role in treating SD. 58.66% are aware of electroejaculation (EEJ) and its role in the management of SD. Awareness about management approaches to induce erections is limited to 50.33%. Awareness about pelvic floor physiotherapy and its approaches is 31.25%. Conclusion: This study concluded that there is very little awareness about physiotherapy, hormonal therapy, electroejaculation, pelvic floor management approaches and erectile dysfunction management among practicing Physiotherapists.