Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in the treatment of women with genito-pelvic pain penetration disorders: a systematic review

Abstract

Background: Genito-pelvic pain penetration disorders involve a variety of sexual disorders associated with persistent pelvic pain, among which vulvodynia/vestibulodynia, dyspareunia, and vaginismus are usually found. The purpose of the current systematic review is to examine the efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in women with genito-pelvic pain penetration disorders. Methods: A wide search of the literature was performed for articles indexed on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct. This systematic review was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) database (RD42023443931). It was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis standards. Results: A total of five studies with 208 women with genito-pelvic pain penetration disorders were included. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation was applied either isolated or combined with other treatments, such as manual intravaginal techniques, pelvic floor muscle exercises, or pharmacological treatments. The number of sessions of the treatment ranged from 8 to 24 sessions, and the duration of the applied stimulus varied from 20 min to 30 min. After the intervention, pain, dyspareunia severity, the strength and endurance of pelvic floor muscles, and sexual function significantly improved in the experimental group, and at the 3 months follow-up. Conclusions: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation improved the pain, dyspareunia severity, strength and endurance of pelvic floor muscles, and sexual function at the end of the intervention and at the 3 months follow up in patients with genito-pelvic pain penetration disorders. The use of additional treatments or techniques could also be beneficial in the treatment of these women due to the multifactorial origin of the disorder.