A Comprehensive Treatment Protocol for Endometriosis Patients Decreases Pain and Improves Function

• Published in: International journal of women's health Vol. 15; pp. 91 - 101
• Main Authors: Shrikhande, Allyson, Patil, Soha, Subhan, Merzia, Moody, Erika, Natarajan, Janaki, Tailor, Yogita, Mamsaang, Marjorie, James, Neha, Leishear, Kimberlee, Vyas, Rakhi, Sandhu, Sandra, Ahmed, Tayyaba, Filart, Rosemarie, Daniel, Gabrielle, Kerin Orbuch, Iris, Larish, Yaniv, Liu, Lora
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01.01.2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Dove; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Abdomen; Behavior modification; Behavioral health care; Care and treatment; central sensitization; chronic pelvic pain; Cognitive therapy; Endometriosis; Gynecology; Inflammation; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; myofascial dysfunction; Nervous system; Original Research; Pain; Patients; Pelvis; peripheral sensitization; Physical therapists; Physical therapy; Rehabilitation; Statistical analysis; Therapeutics, Physiological; chronic pelvic pain; central sensitization; myofascial dysfunction; peripheral sensitization
• ISSN: 1179-1411; 1179-1411
• DOI: 10.2147/IJWH.S365637

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the efficacy of a multimodal, outpatient neuromuscular protocol in treating remaining sensitization and myofascial pain in endometriosis patients post-surgical excision. A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted for women aged 22 to 78 with a history of surgically excised endometriosis. 60 women with an average duration of pain of 8.63 ± 7.65 years underwent a treatment protocol consisting of ultrasound guided trigger point injections, peripheral nerve blocks, and pelvic floor physical therapy for 6 weeks. Concomitant cognitive behavioral therapy once weekly for a total of 12 weeks was also undertaken. Pain intensity and pelvic functionality were assessed at new patient consults and 3-month follow ups using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Functional Pelvic Pain Scale (FPPS). At new patient consults, average VAS and FPPS were 7.45 ± 2.11 (CI 6.92-7.98) and 14.35 ± 6.62 (CI 12.68 -16.02), respectively. At 3-month follow ups, average VAS and FPPS decreased to 4.12 ± 2.44 (CI 3.50-4.73; p < 0.001) and 10.3 ± 6.55 (CI 8.64-11.96; p < 0.001), respectively. Among FPPS categories, sleeping, intercourse, and working showed the highest statistical significance. Data suggests the multimodal protocol was effective in treating the remaining underlying sensitization and myofascial pain seen in Endometriosis patients post-surgical excision, particularly in decreasing pain and improving function during work and intercourse.