Efficacy of Dry Needling in Reducing Pain During Sexual Intercourse

Change in pain quality

To assess changes in the sensory, affective, and evaluative components of pain (McGill-Melzack Questionnaire). Minimum value: 0, Maximum value: 77, higher scores indicate a worse outcome (higher pain).

Time frame: Baseline, 2-week post-treatment evaluation, 6-month follow-up assessment

Change in sexual function

To assess changes in sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index - FSFI). Minimum value: 2, Maximum value: 36, lower scores indicate a worse outcome (low sexual function).

Time frame: Baseline, 2-week post-treatment evaluation, 6-month follow-up assessment

Change in sexual distress

To assess changes in sexual distress (Female Sexual Distress Scale - FSDS). Minimum value: 0, Maximum value: 52, higher scores indicate a worse outcome (higher sexually-related distress).

Time frame: Baseline, 2-week post-treatment evaluation, 6-month follow-up assessment

Change in pain catastrophizing

To assess changes in pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale - PCS). Minimum value: 0, Maximum value: 52, higher scores indicate a worse outcome (higher pain catastrophizing).

Time frame: Baseline, 2-week post-treatment evaluation, 6-month follow-up assessment

Change in fear of pain

To assess changes in fear of pain (Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale - PASS-20). Minimum value: 0, Maximum value: 100, higher scores indicate a worse outcome (higher fear of pain).

Time frame: Baseline, 2-week post-treatment evaluation, 6-month follow-up assessment

Change in cognitions regarding vaginal penetration

To assess the cognitions of women toward vaginal penetration (Vaginal penetration cognition questionnaire - VPCQ). Minimum value: 0, Maximum value: 12 to 36.

Time frame: Baseline, 2-week post-treatment evaluation, 6-month follow-up assessment

Change in quality of life interference

To assess the change in the impact on the quality of life (Life Interference subscale of the Vulvar Pain Assessment Questionnaire - VPAQ). Minimum value: 0, Maximum value: 4, higher scores indicate that the vulvar pain of the participants has a strong impact on their life.

Time frame: Baseline, 2-week post-treatment evaluation, 6-month follow-up assessment

Changes in intercourse self-efficacy

To assess the changes in self-efficacy regarding painful intercourse (Painful Intercourse Self-Efficacy Scale). Minimum value: 10, Maximum value: 100, higher scores indicate higher self-efficacy.

Time frame: Baseline, 2-week post-treatment evaluation, 6-month follow-up assessment

Change in pelvic floor muscle function

To assess changes in pelvic floor muscle function (dynamometric speculum).

Time frame: Baseline, 2-week post-treatment evaluation, 6-month follow-up assessment

Change in pelvic floor morphometry

To assess changes in pelvic floor morphometry (transperineal 3D-4D ultrasound).

Time frame: Baseline, 2-week post-treatment evaluation, 6-month follow-up assessment

Level of satisfaction with treatment

To determine the participants' satisfaction with the treatment on a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) ranging from 0 (completely dissatisfied) to 10 (completely satisfied).

Time frame: 2-week post-treatment evaluation, 6-month follow-up assessment

Patient's global impression of change

To examine patient self-reported change (Patient's Global Impression of Change - PGIC) ranging from "very much worse" to "very much improved" on a 7-point scale.

Time frame: 2-week post-treatment evaluation, 6-month follow-up assessment

Patient's perception of improvement

To examine patient's estimated percent of improvement on a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) ranging from 0% (no improvement) to 100% (complete improvement).

Time frame: 2-week post-treatment evaluation, 6-month follow-up assessment