Myofascial chronic pelvic pain in women : A retrospective evaluation of the effects of specific diagnostics and therapy

• Published in: Schmerz (Berlin, Germany) Vol. 34; no. 5; pp. 388 - 399
• Main Authors: Schwagerus, L, Dörner, K, Bender, S, Müller, K, Bitterlich, N, Rothkötter, H-J, Günther, O
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: 01.10.2020
• ISSN: 1432-2129
• DOI: 10.1007/s00482-020-00488-4

BACKGROUNDThe prevalence of chronic pelvic pain of 11.8% in the general population underlines the importance of this disease. However, the specific diagnostics and therapy of the muscles of this region are not yet part of the standard examination. The following study examines the effects of specific diagnostics and therapy on myofascial chronic pelvic pain. OBJECTIVESThe effectiveness of targeted diagnostics and multimodal therapy in the context of chronic pelvic pain and the need for a complementary drug adjustment. MATERIALS AND METHODSThis study retrospectively evaluated the data of 59 patients, who were referred to a pain center for treatment-resistant chronic pelvic pain in the period from January 2012 to April 2017. The pain needed to be clearly identified as myofascial. A previous minimum duration of pain as well as previous operations or other treatment procedures did not constitute exclusion criteria. Previous traumatization was a reason for exclusion. Therapy components included manual therapeutic treatment, training in self-stretching exercises, medication with the active ingredients flupirtine or methocarbamol, as well as relaxation procedures. Therapy was evaluated on the basis of the German Pain Questionnaire. RESULTSAfter the treatment interval, the following statistically significant improvements were recorded: The average pain intensity decreased by 29.95 points (standard deviation [SD] = 20.61). General quality of life (Marburg questionnaire on habitual well-being, MFHW) increased by 1.1 points (SD = 0.73). The depression and anxiety assessment decreased by 2.56 (SD = 3.99) and 2.63 points (SD = 5.21) respectively. CONCLUSIONA multimodal therapy concept with a manual therapeutic treatment focus can lead to an improvement in pain symptoms and quality of life in patients with myofascial chronic pelvic pain after a treatment period of 120 days. Myofascial syndromes of urogenital muscles must be considered in the assessment of the cause of chronic pelvic pain.