Electromagnetic stimulation to reduce the hypertonia of the pelvic floor muscles and improve chronic pelvic pain in women

Submitted: April 30, 2024
Accepted: June 14, 2024
Published: October 2, 2024
Abstract Views: 289
PDF: 171
Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Authors

Background: The increased hypertonicity or activity of pelvic floor muscles can lead to chronic pelvic pain (CPP). It represents an aspecific and persistent pain with no apparent clinical reason, affecting an estimated 6% to 16% of women worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate with validated questionnaires the efficacy and the safeness of a new device that uses Top flat Magnetic Stimulation for the management of muscular hypertonia in women with CCP.
Methods: All patients underwent 8 treatments with a non-invasive electromagnetic therapeutic device. The device produces a TOP Flat Magnetic Stimulation with a uniform profile so, the muscle work aims to reduce pain while also inhibiting muscle activity. The PISQ-12 questionnaire was used for the evaluation of improvements. Side effects were monitored.
Results: The PISQ-12 total mean score decreases from 29,2 (±3.3) to 17 (±2). Regarding the behavioural–emotive items (1-4), a decrease from 12 (±2) to 7 (±0.9) was visible. Physical items (5-9) decrease from 10,6 (±1.8) to 6 (±1.4) and the Partner Related items (10-12) from 6,6 (±1.6) to 3,9 (±0.4). 
Conclusions: The device we used in this research demonstrated to be a valid solution for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain in female patients.

Dimensions

Altmetric

PlumX Metrics

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Citations

Grimes WR, Stratton M. Pelvic floor dysfunction. Treasure Island, StatPearls. 2023.
World Health Organization (WHO), ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics. Accessed: Sept 23, 2023. Available from: https://icd.who.int/browse11/l-m/en
Dydyk AM, Gupta N. Chronic pelvic pain. Treasure Island, StatPearls.
Reavey J, Vincent K. Chronic pelvic pain. Obstet Gynaecol Reprod Med. 2022;32:8-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ogrm.2021.11.002
Faubion SS, Shuster LT, Bharucha AE. Recognition and management of nonrelaxing pelvic floor dysfunction. Mayo Clin Proc. 2012;87:187-193. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2011.09.004
Kadah S, Soh S-E, Morin M, et al. Is there a difference in pelvic floor muscle tone between women with and without pelvic pain? A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sex Med. 2023;20:65-96. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jsxmed/qdac002
Demetriou L, Krassowski M, Mendes AP, et al. Clinical profiling of specific diagnostic subgroups of women with chronic pelvic pain. Front Reprod Health. 2023;5:1140857. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/frph.2023.1140857
Franco JV, Turk T, Jung JH, et al. Non-pharmacological interventions for treating chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;5:CD012551. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012551.pub3
Meister MR, Shivakumar N, Sutcliffe S, et al. Physical examination techniques for the assessment of pelvic floor myofascial pain: a systematic review. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018;219:497.e1-497.e13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2018.06.014
Spitznagle TM, Robinson CM. Myofascial pelvic pain. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2014;41:409-432. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ogc.2014.04.003
Kuner R. Central mechanisms of pathological pain. Nat Med. 2010;16:1258-1266. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nm.2231
Apte G, Nelson P, Brismée J-M, et al. Chronic female pelvic pain-part 1: clinical pathoanatomy and examination of the pelvic region. Pain Pract. 2012;12:88-110. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-2500.2011.00465.x
Bo K, Frawley HC, Haylen BT, et al. An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for the conservative and nonpharmacological management of female pelvic floor dysfunction. Neurourol Urodyn. 2017;36:221-244. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/nau.23107
Pastore EA, Katzman WB. Recognizing myofascial pelvic pain in the female patient with chronic pelvic pain. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2012; 41:680-691. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.2012.01404.x
Dionisi B, Senatori R. Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on the postpartum dyspareunia treatment. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2011;37:750-753. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1447-0756.2010.01425.x
Ghisu GP. [Vulvodynia - Diagnostics and management strategies].[Article in German]. Praxis (Bern 1994). 2019;108:685-691. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1024/1661-8157/a003274
Dionisi B, Anglana F, Inghirami P, et al. Use of transcutaneous electrical stimulation and biofeedback for the treatment of vulvodynia (vulvar vestibular syndrome): result of 3 years of experience. Minerva Ginecol. 2008; 60:485-491.
Meister MR, Sutcliffe S, Badu A. Pelvic floor myofascial pain severity and pelvic floor disorder symptom bother: is there a correlation? Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2019; 221:235.e1-235.e15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2019.07.020
Salsi B, Ganassi G, Lopopolo G, et al. Approach of chronic pelvic pain with top flat magnetic stimulation. Adv Urol 2023;2023:9983301. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/9983301
Rogers RG, Coates KW, Kammerer-Doak D, et al. A short form of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12). Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct. 2003;14:164-168. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-003-1063-2
Rogers RG, Kammerer-Doak D, Villarreal AK, et al. A new instrument to measure sexual function in women with urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2001;184:552-558. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1067/mob.2001.111100
Gilling PJ, Wilson LC, Westenberget AM, et al. A double-blind randomized controlled trial of electromagnetic stimulation of the pelvic floor vs sham therapy in the treatment of women with stress urinary incontinence. BJU Int. 2009;103:1386-1390. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-410X.2008.08329.x
Vadalà M, Palmieri B, Malagoli A, Laurino C. High-power magnetotherapy: a new weapon in urinary incontinence? Low Urin Tract Symptoms. 2018;10:266-270. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/luts.12174
González-Isaza P, Sánchez-Borrego R, Lugo Salcedo F, et al. Pulsed magnetic stimulation for stress urinary incontinence and its impact on sexuality and health. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022;58:1721. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58121721
Lopopolo G, Salsi B, Banfi A, et al. Is it possible to improve urinary incontinence and quality of life in female patients? A clinical evaluation of the efficacy of top flat magnetic stimulation technology. Bioengineering (Basel). 2022;9:140. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9040140
Isaza PG, Borrego RS, Fusco I. A case of stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy successfully treated with an innovative device based on top flat magnetic stimulation. World J Urol. 2022;40:1887-1889. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-022-04007-1
Dominguez AP, Isaza PG, Pantoja SN, Fusco I. Role of top flat magnetic stimulation for urinary incontinence as a debilitating condition of pelvic floor dysfunction: an observational evaluation of Latin American population. World J Urol. 2023;41:173-177. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-022-04233-7
Filippini M, Biordi N, Curcio A et al. A qualitative and quantitative study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of magnetic stimulation in women with urinary incontinence symptoms and pelvic floor disorders. Medicina (Kaunas). 2023;59:879. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59050879
Frigerio M, Barba M, Cola A, et al. Flat magnetic stimulation for stress urinary incontinence: a prospective comparison study. Bioengineering (Basel). 2023;10:295. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10030295
Biondo A, Isaza PG, Fusco I. Efficacy of top flat magnetic stimulation technology for female stress and urge urinary incontinence: a clinical evaluation. World J Nephrol Urol. 2022;11:18-23. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14740/wjnu432
Biondo A, Murina F, Fusco I. Treatment of pelvic floor hypertonic disorders with top flat magnetic stimulation in women with vestibulodynia: a pilot study. J Womens Health Dev. 2022;5:175-184. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26502/fjwhd.2644-28840087
Rosen NO, Dawson SJ, Brooks M, Kellogg-Spadt S. Treatment of vulvodynia: pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. Drugs. 2019;79:483-493. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-019-01085-1
Li H, Wu RF, Qi F, et al. Postpartum pelvic floor function performance after two different modes of delivery. Genet Mol Res. 2015;14:2994-3001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/2015.April.10.9
Özdemır ÖÇ, Bakar Y, Özengın N, Duran B. The effect of parity on pelvic floor muscle strength and quality of life in women with urinary incontinence: a cross sectional study. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015;27:2133-2137. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.27.2133
Braekken IH, Majida M, Engh ME, Bø K. Are pelvic floor muscle thickness and size of levator hiatus associated with pelvic floor muscle strength, endurance and vaginal resting pressure in women with pelvic organ prolapse stages I-III? A cross sectional 3D ultrasound study. Neurourol Urodyn. 2014;33:115-120. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/nau.22384
Nygaard I, Barber MD, Burgio KL, et al. Prevalence of symptomatic pelvic floor disorders in US women. JAMA. 2008;300:1311-1316. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.300.11.1311
Gümüssoy S, Öztürk R, Kavlak O, et al. Investigating pelvic floor muscle strength in women of reproductive age and factors affecting it. Clin Nurs Res. 2021;30:1047-1058. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10547738211000350
Overholt TL, Ross C, Evans RJ, Walker SJ. Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy as a complementary alternative for chronic pelvic pain management in an interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome patient. Case Rep Urol. 2019;2019:5767568. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/5767568

How to Cite

Mondaini, N., Gacci, M., Cai, T., Lotti, F., Li Marzi, V., Crocerossa, F., Cantiello, F., Tanguenza, S., Comito, A., Fusco, I., Pennati, B., & Damiano, R. (2024). Electromagnetic stimulation to reduce the hypertonia of the pelvic floor muscles and improve chronic pelvic pain in women. Archivio Italiano Di Urologia E Andrologia, 96(3). https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2024.12623