Assessing use of eau recommendations in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a case vignette study on dutch pelvic floor physiotherapists practices

Abstract Background Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) presents as pain located in the pelvic area lasting for at least six months, often with a multifactorial aetiology. The International Continence Society divides CPPS in multiple domains; one is the musculoskeletal domain. Pelvic floor physiothe...

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Main Authors: Myrthe Wissing, Marian Rombouts, Monique Steegers, Kris Vissers, Selina van der Wal, Kim Notten
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Women's Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03782-4
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author Myrthe Wissing
Marian Rombouts
Monique Steegers
Kris Vissers
Selina van der Wal
Kim Notten
author_facet Myrthe Wissing
Marian Rombouts
Monique Steegers
Kris Vissers
Selina van der Wal
Kim Notten
author_sort Myrthe Wissing
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) presents as pain located in the pelvic area lasting for at least six months, often with a multifactorial aetiology. The International Continence Society divides CPPS in multiple domains; one is the musculoskeletal domain. Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a recommended treatment and is advised in the European Association of Urologist (EAU) guidelines. However, in the Netherlands, it is unclear which treatment strategies are used by pelvic floor physiotherapists (PFPs) for CPPS patients due to the lack of a Dutch evidenced-based guideline for physiotherapists. This study provides an overview of the adherence to the EAU guideline by PFPs in managing CPPS patients. Methods A case vignette study using two case vignettes and a general questionnaire defining contextual data. Participants were PFPs treating patients with CPPS in primary care. We contacted 550 qualified PFPs registered in the Dutch national quality registry for physiotherapy. Main outcome measure: first, adherence to EAU guidelines and second, the adherence compared to level of education and caseload. Results Of the invited participants, 198 completed the survey. Of these, 29 (14.6%) scored higher than 80% for both case vignettes; fifty-four (27%) scored 80% for the male case vignette and 30 (15%) scored 80% for the female case. Conclusions Our findings show low adherence to the EAU guideline’s proposed diagnostic and treatment criteria. PFPs should become more familiar with implementation of this guideline.
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spelling doaj-art-2ca3451f561c4597ba697b01ca9af9712025-08-20T03:16:47ZengBMCBMC Women's Health1472-68742025-05-012511710.1186/s12905-025-03782-4Assessing use of eau recommendations in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a case vignette study on dutch pelvic floor physiotherapists practicesMyrthe Wissing0Marian Rombouts1Monique Steegers2Kris Vissers3Selina van der Wal4Kim Notten5Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboudumc NijmegenDepartment of Anesthesiology Chronic Pain and Palliative Medicine, RadboudumcDepartment of Anesthesiology, Amsterdam UMCDepartment of Anesthesiology Chronic Pain and Palliative Medicine, RadboudumcDepartment of Anesthesiology Chronic Pain and Palliative Medicine, RadboudumcDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboudumc NijmegenAbstract Background Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) presents as pain located in the pelvic area lasting for at least six months, often with a multifactorial aetiology. The International Continence Society divides CPPS in multiple domains; one is the musculoskeletal domain. Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a recommended treatment and is advised in the European Association of Urologist (EAU) guidelines. However, in the Netherlands, it is unclear which treatment strategies are used by pelvic floor physiotherapists (PFPs) for CPPS patients due to the lack of a Dutch evidenced-based guideline for physiotherapists. This study provides an overview of the adherence to the EAU guideline by PFPs in managing CPPS patients. Methods A case vignette study using two case vignettes and a general questionnaire defining contextual data. Participants were PFPs treating patients with CPPS in primary care. We contacted 550 qualified PFPs registered in the Dutch national quality registry for physiotherapy. Main outcome measure: first, adherence to EAU guidelines and second, the adherence compared to level of education and caseload. Results Of the invited participants, 198 completed the survey. Of these, 29 (14.6%) scored higher than 80% for both case vignettes; fifty-four (27%) scored 80% for the male case vignette and 30 (15%) scored 80% for the female case. Conclusions Our findings show low adherence to the EAU guideline’s proposed diagnostic and treatment criteria. PFPs should become more familiar with implementation of this guideline.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03782-4Guideline adherencePelvic floor disorderPelvic painPhysical therapy
spellingShingle Myrthe Wissing
Marian Rombouts
Monique Steegers
Kris Vissers
Selina van der Wal
Kim Notten
Assessing use of eau recommendations in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a case vignette study on dutch pelvic floor physiotherapists practices
BMC Women's Health
Guideline adherence
Pelvic floor disorder
Pelvic pain
Physical therapy
title Assessing use of eau recommendations in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a case vignette study on dutch pelvic floor physiotherapists practices
title_full Assessing use of eau recommendations in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a case vignette study on dutch pelvic floor physiotherapists practices
title_fullStr Assessing use of eau recommendations in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a case vignette study on dutch pelvic floor physiotherapists practices
title_full_unstemmed Assessing use of eau recommendations in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a case vignette study on dutch pelvic floor physiotherapists practices
title_short Assessing use of eau recommendations in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a case vignette study on dutch pelvic floor physiotherapists practices
title_sort assessing use of eau recommendations in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for chronic pelvic pain syndrome a case vignette study on dutch pelvic floor physiotherapists practices
topic Guideline adherence
Pelvic floor disorder
Pelvic pain
Physical therapy
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03782-4
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