Effectiveness of Two Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Protocols in Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Background: Vestibulodynia (VBD) is the most common form of vulvodynia. Because VBD is a pain disorder, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can be used as treatment. This study aims to evaluate the effects of two-parameter combinations (frequency and pulse duration) of TENS in reducin...
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3271/11/3/48 |
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| author | Filippo Murina Dario Recalcati Stefania Di Francesco Irene Cetin |
| author_facet | Filippo Murina Dario Recalcati Stefania Di Francesco Irene Cetin |
| author_sort | Filippo Murina |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Vestibulodynia (VBD) is the most common form of vulvodynia. Because VBD is a pain disorder, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can be used as treatment. This study aims to evaluate the effects of two-parameter combinations (frequency and pulse duration) of TENS in reducing pain intensity and dyspareunia in VBD. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted to study the effect of two different electrical stimulation treatment regimens on women with VBD receiving domiciliary TENS. Outcomes were the mean change from baseline at 60 and 120 days of burning/pain and dyspareunia (VAS), Vulvar Pain Functional Questionnaire (V-Q), Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI) and vaginal electromyography measurements. Results: A total of 78 subjects, 39 in each group, completed the trial. Patients in Groups 1 and 2 received a mean of 46.9 and 48.4 TENS sessions. By day 120, there was a 38.2% reduction in the burning/pain and a 52.1% reduction in the dyspareunia VAS scores in Group 1, as compared to 21.3% (<i>p</i> = 0.003) and 23.1% in Group 2 (<i>p</i> = 0.01), respectively. FSFI, V-Q, and muscle-strength measures also improved but were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Our findings showed the potential of TENS in the treatment of VBD. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:28:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3983dc4c1fb146688751e06840636089 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3271 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:28:50Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
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| record_format | Article |
| series | Medical Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-3983dc4c1fb146688751e068406360892023-11-19T11:53:42ZengMDPI AGMedical Sciences2076-32712023-08-011134810.3390/medsci11030048Effectiveness of Two Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Protocols in Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia: A Randomized Controlled TrialFilippo Murina0Dario Recalcati1Stefania Di Francesco2Irene Cetin3Lower Genital Tract Disease Unit, V. Buzzi Hospital–University of the Study of Milan, 20124 Milan, ItalyLower Genital Tract Disease Unit, V. Buzzi Hospital–University of the Study of Milan, 20124 Milan, ItalyLower Genital Tract Disease Unit, V. Buzzi Hospital–University of the Study of Milan, 20124 Milan, ItalyLower Genital Tract Disease Unit, V. Buzzi Hospital–University of the Study of Milan, 20124 Milan, ItalyBackground: Vestibulodynia (VBD) is the most common form of vulvodynia. Because VBD is a pain disorder, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can be used as treatment. This study aims to evaluate the effects of two-parameter combinations (frequency and pulse duration) of TENS in reducing pain intensity and dyspareunia in VBD. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted to study the effect of two different electrical stimulation treatment regimens on women with VBD receiving domiciliary TENS. Outcomes were the mean change from baseline at 60 and 120 days of burning/pain and dyspareunia (VAS), Vulvar Pain Functional Questionnaire (V-Q), Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI) and vaginal electromyography measurements. Results: A total of 78 subjects, 39 in each group, completed the trial. Patients in Groups 1 and 2 received a mean of 46.9 and 48.4 TENS sessions. By day 120, there was a 38.2% reduction in the burning/pain and a 52.1% reduction in the dyspareunia VAS scores in Group 1, as compared to 21.3% (<i>p</i> = 0.003) and 23.1% in Group 2 (<i>p</i> = 0.01), respectively. FSFI, V-Q, and muscle-strength measures also improved but were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Our findings showed the potential of TENS in the treatment of VBD.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3271/11/3/48TENSdyspareuniavestibulodyniavulvar painvulvodyniapelvic floor dysfunction |
| spellingShingle | Filippo Murina Dario Recalcati Stefania Di Francesco Irene Cetin Effectiveness of Two Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Protocols in Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia: A Randomized Controlled Trial Medical Sciences TENS dyspareunia vestibulodynia vulvar pain vulvodynia pelvic floor dysfunction |
| title | Effectiveness of Two Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Protocols in Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia: A Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_full | Effectiveness of Two Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Protocols in Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia: A Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_fullStr | Effectiveness of Two Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Protocols in Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia: A Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effectiveness of Two Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Protocols in Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia: A Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_short | Effectiveness of Two Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Protocols in Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia: A Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_sort | effectiveness of two transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation tens protocols in women with provoked vestibulodynia a randomized controlled trial |
| topic | TENS dyspareunia vestibulodynia vulvar pain vulvodynia pelvic floor dysfunction |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3271/11/3/48 |
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