Physiotherapy Intervention for Provoked Vulvar Vestibulodynia

University of British Columbia125 enrolled

Overview

Hypothesis: 1. Specific physiotherapy interventions will decrease pain, improve pelvic floor motor control, increase self efficacy, improve sexual function and decrease pain catastrophizing behaviour in women with provoked vulvar vestibulodynia. This study will look at specific physiotherapy treatment interventions to see if they decrease pain, improve pelvic floor motor control, increase self efficacy, improve sexual function and decrease pain catastophizing behaviour. Participants will fill out a questionnaire on their pain symptoms and complete standardized scales prior to starting treatment and after 4 sessions to determine change due to interventions. 2. A combination of physiotherapy, group educational sessions and group cognitive behavioural therapy will have better outcomes than physiotherapy alone. Results of physiotherapy intervention alone will be compared to results of those treated with physiotherapy, group educational sessions and group cognitive behavioural therapy at a separate treatment centre. Physiotherapy interventions and outcome measures are the same between both groups. Justification: Standard treatment is hard to identify as many approaches are taken, none with any evidence to support them. This study aims to look at specific techniques (pelvic floor coordination and relaxation exercises, education on female sexual response and pain pathophysiology education) to see if there is a benefit.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

125

Conditions

Vulvodynia

Interventions

Physical therapy treatmentBEHAVIORAL

Subjects will be given pelvic floor motor control,proprioception and relaxation exercises. This will be with and without the use of external surface Electromyography (EMG) biofeedback. Education will also be given on pain management, female sexual response and vestibulodynia. Subjects will also practice inserting vaginal inserts of graduating diameter into their vaginas, practicing the skills learned in physical therapy sessions.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 16 YearsMax age: 40 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * 40 years and under * diagnosis of provoked vulvar vestibulodynia Exclusion Criteria: * early menopause * have had a total or partial hysterectomy * are on estrogen suppression medication * have a primary arousal disorder * declined admission to the Multidisciplinary Vulvodynia Program at Vancovuer General Hospital

Locations (1)

Dayan Physiotherapy and Pelvic Floor Clinic

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Upon completion of data analysis, establishment of the efficacy of pelvic floor physiotherapy for the treatment of Provoked Vulvar Vestibulodynia will be determined

Time frame: Following completion of data collection

Time frame: 2 years

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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