Repurposing Pelvic Floor Electrical Stimulation for the Treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain
University of California, Los Angeles
Summary
Myofascial Pelvic Pain (MPP) is a frequently overlooked musculoskeletal cause of chronic pelvic pain affecting 10-20% of all adult women. Despite high prevalence and societal costs, few effective treatments exist and are difficult to access due to shortages of skilled personnel. Treatments for MPP using electrical stimulation to induce muscle fatigue have proven efficacy at reducing pain, improving circulation, and promoting tissue healing, but have proven difficult to implement in gynecologic practice. The aim of this three-arm randomized study is to evaluate the utility of transvaginal electrical stimulation at a fixed frequency of 200 Hz in women with symptomatic MPP in comparison to the standard, first-line treatment with education, stretching, and low-impact exercise. Nursing staff without prior training will be taught to deliver this high-frequency transvaginal electrical stimulation (HF-TES) treatment using the device. Responses to treatment provided by a specialist physician and licensed vocational nurse will be compared. Patients with \>50% pain improvement will determine the effectiveness of HF-TES. Responses to treatment provided by a specialist physician and licensed vocational nurse will also be compared. Participants will be followed for 3 months following treatment completion.
Description
This will be a prospective randomized trial. Sixty subjects with suspected myofascial pelvic pain will be recruited from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Center for Women's Pelvic Health. Patients will be informed of the opportunity to participate in this study by their clinician during routine office visits after a diagnosis of interstitial cystitis or bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is assigned. Interested subjects will be screened for eligibility and allowed as much time as they wish to complete informed consent. MPP subjects who meet inclusion/exclusion criteria will be appr…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Women between 18 and 65 years of age * Pelvic pain for more than 6 months duration * Report an average daily pain intensity score of at least 4 (on a 0 to 10 scale) * Palpable trigger points in internal pelvic floor muscles on standardized myofascial pelvic floor exam * Willing to refrain from new clinical treatments that may affect pain during the study period Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to participate in weekly clinic visits * Prior invasive pelvic procedures for pain (e.g., prior pelvic surgery, sacroiliac joint injections, ganglion impar block, bladder instilla…
Interventions
- DeviceUrostym
electric pelvic floor muscle stimulator
- BehavioralStandard care
patient education on home exercises and stretching
Location
- UCLA Center for Women's Pelvic HealthLos Angeles, California