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

Ashtiani, Elaheh Miri; Shokouhi, Nasim; Mohseni, Mona; Saedi, Nafiseh; Haeri-Mehrizi, Ali Asghar; Bakhtiyari, Mahmood

doi:.0..

Obstet Gynecol Sci > Epub ahead of print

Original Article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5468/ogs.22171 [Epub ahead of print]
Published online January 20, 2023.

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

Elaheh Miri Ashtiani¹, Nasim Shokouhi²

, Mona Mohseni³, Nafiseh Saedi⁴, Ali Asghar Haeri-Mehrizi⁵, Mahmood Bakhtiyari^6,7

¹Emam Khomeini Hospital Pelvic floor clinic, Iran
²Yas University Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
³Medical school, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
⁴Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yas University Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Science, Iran
⁵Health Metrics Research Center, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
⁶Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Iran
⁷Clinical Research Development Unit, Imam Ali Hospital, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

Correspondence: Nasim Shokouhi,
Email: shokouhinasim@ymail.com

Received: 17 July 2022 • Revised: 28 October 2022 • Accepted: 28 December 2022

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.

Key Words: Myofascial pain syndromes, Diathermy, HIGGS, Physical therapy modalities, Pelvic floor disorders