Evaluation of sexual function and the effect of sexual rehabilitation education in spinal cord injured male patients

Abstract

Purpose: This questionnaire study was conducted to examine sexual problems and assess the effect of sexual rehabilitation education on the marital intimacy in patients with spinal cord injuries. Materials and methods: 45 male patients with spinal cord injuries were evaluated for sexual problems using a questionnaire. The patients were divided into two groups: control group (n=16) and trial group (n=16). Sexual rehabilitation education for patients, using manual and video tapes, was provided. The effect of sexual rehabilitation education on marital intimacy was assessed in the two groups. Using Student's t-test (paired), Student's t-test the scores of marital intimacy measured before and after the sexual rehabilitation education were compared. Results: After one year, 80% (36/45) of the subjects recovered normal sexual desire, and 51% (23/45) recovered normal erectile function, most of who had been proved to have sustained a spinal cord injury at the cervical or thoracic level. Normal erectile function was more frequently seen in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury than in those with complete spinal cord injury. 31% (14/45) were able to ejaculate and 29% (13/45) experienced orgasm. After sustaining a spinal cord injury, 87% (39/45) were aware of sexual rehabilitation education. However, only 13% (5/45) were informed by their healthcare professionals. After sexual rehabilitation education, a significant increase in marital intimacy was found in the trial compared to the control group. Conclusions: In conclusion, our results indicate that sexual rehabilitation education is effective at increasing the marital intimacy of patients with a spinal cord injury. Moreover, these patients must receive relevant care and education from their healthcare professionals, which must also be in a persistent manner.