Bladder-sphincter disorders affect 80 % of the patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) after 10 years of evolution and urinary self-catheterization (SC) are part of the therapeutic arsenal.
SC involves different steps: the preparation of the material, the undressing, the transfer on toilets, the technical gesture and the dressing. Recommendations of good practice of SC of the French Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation evoke the necessity to adapt the wardrobe but without precision on the definition of this adaptation.
Adapted underwear exists for patients with a disability and is accessible for the general public. However, no clinical trial has ever evaluated their real practical interest for disabled patients realizing SC.
These undergarments, according to our experience, are very ingenious and would bring a real comfort in everyday life from patients with a disability.
In case of SC, this underwear would facilitate and shorten the time dedicated to this technique, especially as SC are realized on average 6 times a day for patients already affected in their movements because of their initial handicap.
The adapted underwear could bring an ease and a speed of dressing / undressing, allow an easier and faster access to the urinary meatus and a limitation of manipulations and mobilizations of the patient allowing an energy saving.
Moreover, disabled patients request concrete advice from health professionals on everyday life problems such as dressing / undressing. Therefore it seemed interesting to estimate the benefits of using adapted underwear for the realization of SC for patients affected by MS with severe to moderate disability (EDSS 6 - 7.5) affecting everyday life activities.
