Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (May 2023)

The Effect of Pelvic Floor Magnetic Stimulation in Women with Myofascial Pelvic Pain Syndrome: A Prospective Cohort Pilot Study

  • Tian Ding,
  • Shuang Zhang,
  • Li Zhao,
  • Yue Wu,
  • Xiu-fang Zhu,
  • Yin-feng Wang,
  • Shuang-shuang Zhong,
  • Zhen-wei Xie

DOI
https://doi.org/10.31083/j.ceog5005100
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 50, no. 5
p. 100

Abstract

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Background: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a highly prevalent pain condition in which pelvic floor myofascial pain syndrome (MPPS) is also frequently found. Optimal treatments for CPP and MPPS are unknown. The aims of this pilot study were to investigate the effect of pelvic floor magnetic stimulation (MS) in women with MPPS. Treatment effects were compared between patients receiving MS alone, myofascial release therapy (MRT) alone, and MS + MRT. Methods: Patients were divided into three groups: MS, MRT, and MS + MRT. Questionnaires including Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency questionnaire (PUF), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), and clinical global impression scale (CGI) were used to assess changes in subjective symptoms before and after treatment. Pelvic floor muscle function was assessed by the Modified Oxford Scale and Surface electromyography (sEMG). Pain mapping was used to locate trigger points (TPs) and to score the intensity of pain. A Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to measure the intensity of pain on a scale of 0 to 10. Changes in the above evaluation indexes within each group and between groups were evaluated after 5 treatment sessions and 10 treatment sessions. Results: Nineteen patients completed the treatment between November 2020 and August 2021. The SF-MPQ and PUF scores decreased significantly (p < 0.01) after treatment. The VAS score for pelvic floor tenderness also decreased significantly after 5 and 10 treatment sessions (p < 0.01). At the end of 10 sessions, the HAMA score was significantly lower than prior to treatment (p < 0.01). Conclusions: This preliminary study shows that MS is effective for the treatment of MPPS. Clinical Trial Registration: ChiCTR2000030881.

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