The Effectiveness Of Trigger Point Treatment In Chronic Pelvic Pain; A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract Objective To investigate the effectiveness of ischemic compression and low-level laser therapy methods combined with exercise on the myofascial trigger points in women with Chronic Pelvic Pain and to determine which method is more effective. Methods It was a parallel designed, single-blind pilot randomized clinical trial. Patients were recruited at physiotherapy laboratory of the Istanbul University from September 2017 to June 2019. Twenty-eight women patients with Chronic Pelvic Pain were included into the trial. Patients were randomized into two groups. Group 1 received ischemic compression and Group 2 received low-level laser therapy twice a week for 6 weeks. Both groups received the same standard exercise program. Pain, range of motion, pelvic floor symptom severity, quality of life, satisfaction, anxiety, and depression were assessed after 6 weeks, and 1-year follow up. Results Following the treatment, significant differences were observed within both group subjects in pain, range of motion, symptom severity, quality of life, and anxiety-depression (p<0.05). This significant improvement in pain, symptom severity, symptoms related quality of life and pain subgroup of Short Form 36, continued after 1-year follow up (p<0.05). In comparison between group, Group 1 have more significant improvement than Group 2 in terms of symptoms related quality of life (p<0.05). Conclusion Both methods have shown efficacy and can be used safely in chronic pelvic pain patients. Because it is more effective on symptoms related quality of life, the ıschemic compression method may be preferred for primary use.