Obstet Gynecol Sci.  2023 May;66(3):230-240. 10.5468/ogs.22171.

A novel radiofrequency modulation therapy versus routine physiotherapy modalities in treatment of myofascial pelvic pain syndrome: a pilot randomized trial

• Ashtiani EM
• Shokouhi N
• Mohseni M
• Saedi N
• Haeri-Mehrizi AA
• Bakhtiyari M

• KMID: 2542229
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5468/ogs.22171

Abstract

Objective
The current study aimed to compare the effectiveness of novel radiofrequency modulation (RM) therapy with a tailored physiotherapy course for patients with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) of myofascial origin, also known as myofascial pelvic pain syndrome (MPPS).
Methods
We enrolled 46 patients with myofascial CPP to compare the effectiveness of a 10-session routine physiotherapy course versus a 6-session RM with an integrated device (HIGGS) in alleviating MPPS morbidity and pelvic floor muscle (PFM) rehabilitation. The primary outcome was reduction in pelvic pain after the final session and in the follow-up period 3 months after the final intervention session.
Results
The 6-session therapy in the RM group and the manual, biofeedback, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapies in the physiotherapy group were similarly effective in reducing pain and improving PFM endurance after the final intervention session in each group, whereas perineometer readings and PFM strength were associated with greater improvements in the physiotherapy group.
Conclusion
The results of this study demonstrated comparable effectiveness of RM in the management of MPPS and improvement of PFM function compared to routine physiotherapy programs with fewer sessions of therapy.

Keyword

Myofascial pain syndromes; Diathermy; HIGGS; Physical therapy modalities; Pelvic floor disorders

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Flowchart of the study. Sixty participants were screened between September 2019 and March 2020 for eligibility. Forty-six patients were included in the study. TENS, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

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  Fig. 2 Adjusted marginal means of outcome variables in three time periods for each group assignment. PFM, pelvic floor muscle; VAS, visual analog scale.

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