Evaluation of the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on the posterior tibial nerve and intravaginal as a treatment option of pain in women with chronic pelvic pain

• Grant number: 12/03828-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2012
• End date: September 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Maternal and Child Health
• Principal Investigator: Eduardo Schor
• Grantee: Eduardo Schor
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a syndrome characterized by pain in the pelvis or hypogastrium, lasting at least six months. There are many options for its conservative management. Among them, the use of non steroid anti-inflamatory drugs, oral and injectable contraceptives, analgesics, and herbal medicines. The conservative non-drug treatment may be proposed, since it is free of side effects, and low risk of intolerance. Among them are acupuncture and physiotherapy with techniques like electrotherapy, thermotherapy, cryotherapy, myofascial release and kinesiotherapy. The transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a technique featured in the treatment of pain, mainly because it is a painless current. The electrodes can be positioned near the area of pain or on the nervous track. Objective: To evaluate de effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in patients with pelvic pain and to compare de efficacy of the application of the stimuli on the posterior tibial nerve and intravaginal in women with chronic pelvic pain. Methods: Eighty women with CPP will be treated with TENS, and will be randomized in four groups: intravaginal electrical stimulation, intravaginal electrical stimulation placebo, posterior tibial nerve stimulation and posterior tibial nerve stimulation placebo. The women will receive de TENS application for 10 sessions during 30 minutes each. All women will respond to specific questionnaires of pain before, during and after 10 sessions treatment, and 30 days after treatment. (AU)