Capacitive Resistive Monopolar Radiofrequency Combined with Manual Physiotherapy to Treat Dyspareunia in Young Women

Background: Dyspareunia, a prevalent sexual dysfunction in young women, is often overlooked and affects sexual health and quality of life. Physical therapy can reduce pain and improve muscle function. Aim: To investigate the effects of capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency combined with peri...

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Main Authors: Anna Abelló Pla, Anna Andreu-Povar, Laura Fabbi, Jordi Esquirol-Caussa, Judith Lleberia-Juanós, Antonio Gil-Moreno, Mireia Coll Omaña
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Mary Ann Liebert 2024-04-01
Series:Women's Health Reports
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Online Access:https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/whr.2024.0135
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author Anna Abelló Pla
Anna Andreu-Povar
Laura Fabbi
Jordi Esquirol-Caussa
Judith Lleberia-Juanós
Antonio Gil-Moreno
Mireia Coll Omaña
author_facet Anna Abelló Pla
Anna Andreu-Povar
Laura Fabbi
Jordi Esquirol-Caussa
Judith Lleberia-Juanós
Antonio Gil-Moreno
Mireia Coll Omaña
author_sort Anna Abelló Pla
collection DOAJ
description Background: Dyspareunia, a prevalent sexual dysfunction in young women, is often overlooked and affects sexual health and quality of life. Physical therapy can reduce pain and improve muscle function. Aim: To investigate the effects of capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency combined with perineal massage on dyspareunia-related pain and muscle strength. Methods: A single-blinded, randomized clinical trial with 44 women aged 18–30 years experiencing sexual pain. The intervention group received manual therapy with perineal massage and 448 kHz capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency, while the control group received the same treatment with the device off. They underwent four 16-minute sessions. Evaluations were performed at baseline, posttreatment, and 3 months later. Outcomes: Pain during various activities, muscle strength, perceived pain during intercourse, and sexual satisfaction. Results: The intervention group showed significant improvements in manual stretching (p = 0.046), pain during instrumental insertion (p = 0.031), instrumental stretching (p < 0.001), Oxford scale scores (p = 0.006), pain scores (p < 0.001), and sexual satisfaction (p = 0.004), sustained at 3 months. The control group improved in instrumental stretching (p = 0.002), pain scores (p < 0.001), and sexual satisfaction (p = 0.002). Instrumental stretching had a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 2.049). Clinical Implications: Physiotherapy provides effective pain relief in young women with dyspareunia. Strengths and Limitations: Short treatment with good results but not always with pain-free results, and there is a need to combine treatment with other health professionals. Conclusion: The combination of capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency and manual therapy improves pain feeling and muscle function and sustains its effects long term.
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spelling doaj-art-e8d904c45bee426888879a9378d366f72025-08-20T01:50:53ZengMary Ann LiebertWomen's Health Reports2688-48442024-04-015188989610.1089/whr.2024.0135Capacitive Resistive Monopolar Radiofrequency Combined with Manual Physiotherapy to Treat Dyspareunia in Young WomenAnna Abelló Pla0Anna Andreu-Povar1Laura Fabbi2Jordi Esquirol-Caussa3Judith Lleberia-Juanós4Antonio Gil-Moreno5Mireia Coll Omaña6Escoles Universitàries Gimbernat, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Avinguda de la Generalitat, Sant Cugat del Vallès (Barcelona), Spain.Escoles Universitàries Gimbernat, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Avinguda de la Generalitat, Sant Cugat del Vallès (Barcelona), Spain.Escoles Universitàries Gimbernat, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Avinguda de la Generalitat, Sant Cugat del Vallès (Barcelona), Spain.Escoles Universitàries Gimbernat, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Avinguda de la Generalitat, Sant Cugat del Vallès (Barcelona), Spain.Escoles Universitàries Gimbernat, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Avinguda de la Generalitat, Sant Cugat del Vallès (Barcelona), Spain.Departament de Pediatria, d’Obstetrícia i Ginecologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. i Medicina Preventiva i Salut Pública. Avinguda Can Domènech S/N. Edifici M. Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain.Escoles Universitàries Gimbernat, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Avinguda de la Generalitat, Sant Cugat del Vallès (Barcelona), Spain.Background: Dyspareunia, a prevalent sexual dysfunction in young women, is often overlooked and affects sexual health and quality of life. Physical therapy can reduce pain and improve muscle function. Aim: To investigate the effects of capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency combined with perineal massage on dyspareunia-related pain and muscle strength. Methods: A single-blinded, randomized clinical trial with 44 women aged 18–30 years experiencing sexual pain. The intervention group received manual therapy with perineal massage and 448 kHz capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency, while the control group received the same treatment with the device off. They underwent four 16-minute sessions. Evaluations were performed at baseline, posttreatment, and 3 months later. Outcomes: Pain during various activities, muscle strength, perceived pain during intercourse, and sexual satisfaction. Results: The intervention group showed significant improvements in manual stretching (p = 0.046), pain during instrumental insertion (p = 0.031), instrumental stretching (p < 0.001), Oxford scale scores (p = 0.006), pain scores (p < 0.001), and sexual satisfaction (p = 0.004), sustained at 3 months. The control group improved in instrumental stretching (p = 0.002), pain scores (p < 0.001), and sexual satisfaction (p = 0.002). Instrumental stretching had a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 2.049). Clinical Implications: Physiotherapy provides effective pain relief in young women with dyspareunia. Strengths and Limitations: Short treatment with good results but not always with pain-free results, and there is a need to combine treatment with other health professionals. Conclusion: The combination of capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency and manual therapy improves pain feeling and muscle function and sustains its effects long term.https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/whr.2024.0135physical therapy modalitiessexual dysfunctionphysiologicalradiofrequency therapypelvic floor disorderspain management
spellingShingle Anna Abelló Pla
Anna Andreu-Povar
Laura Fabbi
Jordi Esquirol-Caussa
Judith Lleberia-Juanós
Antonio Gil-Moreno
Mireia Coll Omaña
Capacitive Resistive Monopolar Radiofrequency Combined with Manual Physiotherapy to Treat Dyspareunia in Young Women
Women's Health Reports
physical therapy modalities
sexual dysfunction
physiological
radiofrequency therapy
pelvic floor disorders
pain management
title Capacitive Resistive Monopolar Radiofrequency Combined with Manual Physiotherapy to Treat Dyspareunia in Young Women
title_full Capacitive Resistive Monopolar Radiofrequency Combined with Manual Physiotherapy to Treat Dyspareunia in Young Women
title_fullStr Capacitive Resistive Monopolar Radiofrequency Combined with Manual Physiotherapy to Treat Dyspareunia in Young Women
title_full_unstemmed Capacitive Resistive Monopolar Radiofrequency Combined with Manual Physiotherapy to Treat Dyspareunia in Young Women
title_short Capacitive Resistive Monopolar Radiofrequency Combined with Manual Physiotherapy to Treat Dyspareunia in Young Women
title_sort capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency combined with manual physiotherapy to treat dyspareunia in young women
topic physical therapy modalities
sexual dysfunction
physiological
radiofrequency therapy
pelvic floor disorders
pain management
url https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/whr.2024.0135
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