Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40770111›Full record

SynthesisSpinal cord2025

Sexual function is the most commonly investigated aspect of sexuality in individuals with spinal cord injury or disease - a systematic review.

Jasmin L Mahler, Judith J W van Beek, Jens Wöllner, Jörg Krebs, Jürgen Pannek

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Spinal cord, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Jasmin L MahlerSwiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil, Switzerland.ORCID 0009-0004-6290-8193
Judith J W van BeekSwiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0001-9008-0777
Jens WöllnerSwiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0002-2518-8738
Jörg KrebsSwiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil, Switzerland. joerg.krebs@paraplegie.ch.ORCID 0000-0003-1807-2670
Jürgen PannekSwiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0002-9910-1295

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

STUDY

designSystematic review.

objectivesTo create an overview of standardized assessments to evaluate sexuality after SCI/D in a systematic literature review. Furthermore, we explored the various dimensions of sexuality assessed by these tools and analyzed sex and gender differences.

methodsIn a systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42023416855), we reviewed published assessments of sexuality in individuals with SCI/D with a focus on differences between women and men. The comprehensive search was conducted in PUBMED, Medline, CINAHL and psychINFO in March 2023. The extracted publications were grouped and analyzed according to their objectives.

resultsA total of 264 papers were included in the analysis and divided into three categories: "physiological aspects of sexuality", "psychological aspects of sexuality", and "sexual adjustment". Most assessments of sexuality after SCI/D concern physiological aspects (n = 176, 66.7%). Fewer studies focus on psychological aspects (n = 49, 18.6%), and sexual adjustment (n = 39, 14.8%) is the least investigated topic. More research has been published on men's compared to women's sexuality (n = 195, 73.9% versus n = 125, 47.3%). In men, the most frequently used standardized assessment is the International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF). In women, the equivalent to the IIEF, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), is most frequently used.

conclusionMost assessments focus primarily on sexual function in men. New assessments are needed to address other aspects of sexuality as well. Furthermore, more research on female sexuality is needed. Sexual function is the most commonly investigated aspect of sexuality in individuals with spinal cord injury or disease - a systematic review.

Indexed as

Sexual Dysfunction, PhysiologicalSexualitySpinal Cord InjuriesFemaleHumansMale

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.