Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the effect of myofascial manipulation by observing the changes in pelvic floor myofascial scores and electromyography (EMG) data before and after treatment.
Methods
A total of 106 patients with myofascial pelvic pain (MFPP) were enrolled in a treatment group, and 50 healthy women were enrolled in a control group. The changes in the pelvic floor EMG data in the two groups were monitored by using Myo Trac before and after treatment. Pelvic trigger points and their distribution in the MFPP patients were examined using a finger pressure test. The visual analogue scale was used to assess the severity of pain in both groups. After one course of manipulation (twice per week for a total of 10 times), the effectiveness of the manipulation was analyzed by comparing the changes in pain scores before and after treatment.
Results
The main symptoms of MFPP in the study sample consisted of lower abdominal pain, lumbosacral pain, or mixed pain, which together accounted for 67% of all symptoms. Patients often had multiple trigger points, covering 47.17% of the body. The differences between the treatment group and control group in the changes in pelvic floor muscle strength, number of pain points, pain scores, resting EMG of pelvic floor muscles, and relaxation time after muscle contraction were all statistically significant (P < 0.05). The differences between the pre-treatment and post-treatment groups in the changes in pelvic floor muscle strength, number of pain points, pain scores, resting EMG of pelvic floor muscles, and relaxation time after muscle contraction were all statistically significant (P < 0.05)
Conclusion
Manipulation is an effective treatment for MFPP and is worthy of further clinical promotion.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge the hard and dedicated work of all the staff that implemented the intervention and evaluation components of the study.
Funding
This study was funded by Basic Research Project of Wenzhou Science and Technology Bureau (Y20180694). The funding body had no role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript.
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Dong, XX., Guo, M., Huang, LX. et al. The efficacy of manipulation as a treatment for myofascial pelvic pain. Int Urol Nephrol 53, 1339–1343 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-021-02840-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-021-02840-8