Abstract
BackgroundChronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is a multifactorial disorder that affects 5.7% to 26.6% of women and 2.2% to 9.7% of men, characterized by hypersensitivity of the central and peripheral nervous system affecting bladder and genital function. People with CPPS have much higher rates of psychological disorders (anxiety, depression, and catastrophizing) that increase the severity of chronic pain and worsen quality of life. Myofascial therapy, manual therapy, and treatment of trigger points are proven therapeutic options for this syndrome. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency (CRMRF) at 448 kHz as an adjunct treatment to other physiotherapeutic techniques for reducing pain and improving the quality of life of patients with CPPS.MethodsThis triple-blind (1:1) randomized controlled trial will include 80 women and men with CPPS. Participants will be randomized into a CRMRF activated group or a CRMRF deactivated group and receive physiotherapeutic techniques and pain education. The groups will undergo treatment for 10 consecutive weeks. At the beginning of the trial there will be an evaluation of pain intensity (using VAS), quality of life (using the SF-12), kinesiophobia (using the TSK-11), and catastrophism (using the PCS), as well as at the sixth and tenth sessions.DiscussionThe results of this study will show that CRMRF benefits the treatment of patients with CPPS, together with physiotherapeutic techniques and pain education. These results could offer an alternative conservative treatment option for these patients.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03797911. Registered on 8 January 2019.
Highlights
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is a multifactorial disorder that affects 5.7% to 26.6% of women and 2.2% to 9.7% of men, characterized by hypersensitivity of the central and peripheral nervous system affecting bladder and genital function
The specific aims are to evaluate the efficacy of the capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency (CRMRF) according to the intensity of pain, quality of life, kinesiophobia, and catastrophism of patients participating in the study
Based on data published in the literature [60] and applying a common standard deviation of 3 and a difference equal to or greater than 2 in the visual analog scale (VAS), 40 patients are needed for each leg of the study, assuming a maximum percentage of follow-up losses/dropouts of 10%
Summary
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is a multifactorial disorder that affects 5.7% to 26.6% of women and 2.2% to 9.7% of men, characterized by hypersensitivity of the central and peripheral nervous system affecting bladder and genital function. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is defined as “pain of non-oncological cause, intermittent or constant, in the lower part of the abdomen or pelvis, in both men and women, lasting at least 6 months, and with negative consequences that can be cognitive, behavioral, sexual and emotional” [1, 2]. It is a multifactorial disorder serious enough to cause urinary and genital functional disability and with high prevalence rates (5.7% to 26.6% of women and 2.2% to 9.7% of men) [3,4,5,6,7,8]. People with CPPS tend to have central and peripheral nervous system hypersensitivity, with dysfunctional pain modulation that tends to aggravate pain [19,20,21,22,23,24]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
