A Randomized Clinical Trial on the Effect of Biofeedback on Pain and Quality of Life of Patients with Chronic Coccydynia

Abstract

Purpose of the study: Pelvic floor muscles dysfunction is one of the most important etiologies of coccydynia, therefore, manual therapies have been proposed as the first line of treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of biofeedback as a new approach in the treatment of coccydynia. Methods: Thirty women were randomized into two groups. Both groups were injected with corticosteroid. One group received pelvic floor muscle exercises plus biofeedback while the other only performed exercises. Patient’s pain was measured using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in the first visit and after 1, 2 and 6 months of follow-up as well as Dallas pain and SF-36 quality of life questionnaires before and 2 months after the treatment. Results: Pain had improved significantly after 1, 2 and 6 months in both groups compared to the baseline. However, the amount of change was not different between the groups at any time interval. The results were the same for Dallas pain scale and SF-36 quality of life questionnaire. Conclusion: Adding biofeedback to pelvic floor muscle exercises did not lead to any further improvement in management of chronic coccydynia. Further studies with larger sample sizes may show the effect of biofeedback more clearly.

Keywords

• coccyx pain
• biofeedback
• pelvic floor
• quality of life