Effect of TENS and stabilization exercises on pelvic pain in pelvic cancer survivors following multimodal treatment: A clinical trial.

Abstract

Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) dysfunction and pain are common complications seen in pelvic cancers including the gynecological and genitourinary systems before and after treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgeries and may contribute to significant morbidity as the survival rates increase in these patients. The objective of the clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and stabilization exercises on pelvic pain in pelvic cancer survivors following multimodal treatment. Thirty-one patients including both male and female adults treated for pelvic cancers were recruited in the study. Outcome measures in terms of pain were assessed at baseline and at the end of the study by the visual analog scale and genitourinary pain index (GUPI) scale, abdominal muscle strength by pressure biofeedback unit for transverse abdominal (TrA) muscle, and quality of life (QOL) by functional assessment of cancer therapy general questionnaire. Pelvic stabilization exercises and TENS were administered once daily approximately 30 min during the acute hospitalization. Pelvic stabilization exercises and TENS demonstrated to be effective in ameliorating pelvic pain (P < 0.001) and improving in the GUPI scores of pain, incontinence, increasing strength of TrA musculature (P < 0.001), and improving overall QOL (P < 0.005). The trial suggests that a combination of pelvic stabilization exercises and conventional TENS may be used as a strategic tool to reduce pain and improve PFM strength after multimodal treatments in pelvic cancer survivors in the clinical setup of an Indian Scenario.