Physiotherapy Intervention for Provoked Vulvar Vestibulodynia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Hypothesis: 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. 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.

Official Title
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Physiotherapy Intervention for Provoked Vulvar Vestibulodynia

Conditions
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Vulvodynia, Provoked Vulvar Vestibulodynia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Physical therapy treatment


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 16 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: physical therapy treatment<br> | Behavioral: Physical therapy treatment<br>* 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.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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 | 2 years | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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provoked, vulvar, vestibulodynia, vestibulitis