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Randomized trial of long-term effects of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation on chronic pelvic pain

  • General Gynecology
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the long-term effects of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) on quality of life in women with chronic pelvic pain.

Materials and methods

Thirty-three women with chronic pelvic pain were randomized into PTNS (n = 16) or control (n = 17) groups. In PTNS group, weekly PTNS in 30-min sessions for 12 weeks was performed whereas the control group received no stimulation. Present pain intensity-visual analog scale (PPI-VAS), short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ), and SF-36 were used at baseline, 12-week, and 6-month follow-up for the evaluation of pain intensity and quality of life.

Results

Two women (12.5 %) were cured, 7 (43.8 %) were much improved, 6 (37.5 %) were the same and 1 (6.3 %) was worse after PTNS. Two women (11.8 %) were improved, 10 (58.8 %) were the same, and 5 (29.4 %) were worse in the control group. Mean PPI-VAS of PTNS group at baseline, 12 weeks, and 6 months was 8.4 ± 1.1, 3.8 ± 3.5 and 4.5 ± 3.7, respectively. There was a significant improvement in PPI-VAS scores of PTNS group whereas no change was observed in the control group. There was a slight increase in the PPI-VAS scores of the PTNS group at 6-month, but the difference was not statistically significant. There was significant improvement in all domains of SF-MPQ and SF-36 in PTNS group with continuing effects at 6 months whereas no significant change was observed in the control group.

Conclusion

PTNS is a minimally invasive treatment method that leads to decrease in pain severity and improvement in quality of life in women with chronic pelvic pain with effects continuing at 6 months.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Istanbul University. Authors convey sincere gratitude for the support.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sisli Etfal State Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ayse Istek

  2. Division of Urogynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istanbul Medical School, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Funda Gungor Ugurlucan, Cenk Yasa & Onay Yalcin

  3. Cukurova University Adana Health High School, Adana, Turkey

    Sule Gokyildiz

  4. Atakoy 9. Kisim, B6 Blok, Daire 40, Atakoy, Bakirkoy, 34156, Istanbul, Turkey

    Funda Gungor Ugurlucan

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  1. Ayse Istek
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  2. Funda Gungor Ugurlucan
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  3. Cenk Yasa
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  4. Sule Gokyildiz
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  5. Onay Yalcin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Funda Gungor Ugurlucan.

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Istek, A., Gungor Ugurlucan, F., Yasa, C. et al. Randomized trial of long-term effects of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation on chronic pelvic pain. Arch Gynecol Obstet 290, 291–298 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-014-3190-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-014-3190-z

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