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Pelvic PainPMPPNCT05926752

Photobiomodulation for Myofascial Pelvic Pain

A study testing SoLá therapy and Pelvic floor physical therapy in people with Pelvic Pain and Levator Ani Syndrome, run by Orlando VA Medical Center at 1 site in United States.

Unknown status

Status not confirmed. The sponsor has not verified this record for over two years, so it may be out of date.

Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of photobiomodulation of the pelvic floor muscles in female Veterans with chronic pelvic pain. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is there a difference in reduction in overall pelvic pain between women who undergo photobiomodulation compared to women… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
SoLá therapy and Pelvic floor physical therapy
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
28 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
27 Oct 2021to 1 Aug 2024
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • Women only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Clinically diagnosed MFPP
  • Age ≥ 18
  • Able to provide informed consent
  • English speaking
  • Agree not to participate in any other form of treatment of myofascial pelvic pain for 3 months after end of trial

Who cannot join

  • Prior pelvic floor physical therapy or SoLá therapy for pelvic pain
  • Pregnancy documented by urine or blood
  • Taking drugs that have heat- or light- sensitive contraindications
  • Reporting decreased sensation in the vagina or rectum or if they are found to have abnormalities on the external neurosensory exam of the vagina
  • Have a known history of cancer of the cervix, vagina, uterus, bladder, or vulva or suspected to have neoplasia or pre-cancerous lesions
  • Have an active infection of the bladder, vagina, vulva, or urethra
Show all 9Show fewer
  • Have active vaginal bleeding or blood in the vaginal canal
  • Have evidence of active vaginal trauma, ulcerations, erosions, or other evidence of vaginal and vulvar skin breakdown
  • Cannot tolerate vaginal examination either due to discomfort, pain or history or traumatic experience

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Chensi Ouyang, MD contact

4076314010

chensi.ouyang@va.gov

Mario Castellanos, MD contact

4076314010

mario.castellanos@va.gov

United States1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Orlando VA Medical Center

    Orlando, Florida, 32827

    Chensi Ouyang, MD, 407-631-4010, chensi.ouyang@va.gov

    mario castellanos, MD, 4076314010, mario.castellanos@va.gov

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Photobiomodulation Therapy for Myofascial Pelvic Pain: A Randomized Clinical Study

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of photobiomodulation of the pelvic floor muscles in female Veterans with chronic pelvic pain. The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Is there a difference in reduction in overall pelvic pain between women who undergo photobiomodulation compared to women who received pelvic floor physical therapy?
  • Is there a difference in compliance with therapy between the two groups? Participants will be randomized to treatment with either 9 treatments of photobiomodulation (two treatments per week) or 8 weeks of pelvic floor physical therapy (one treatment a week). Researchers will compare both groups to see if there is a difference in overall pelvic pain reduction.
Read the detailed description

Background:

Myofascial pelvic pain (MFPP) is defined as pain in the pelvic floor muscles, the pelvic floor connective tissue, and the surrounding fascia. Standard treatment options of MFPP include pharmacotherapy and pelvic floor physical therapy (PT). In severe cases (approximately 25%) who are not responsive to therapy, pudendal blocks and trigger point injections (TPs) may be used to temporarily alleviate pain and improve function. However, these are more invasive and may require anesthesia. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) delivered by a low-level laser emitter has recently emerged as a treatment option for musculoskeletal disorders such as neck and low back pain. In patients with vaginal musculoskeletal pain, PBMT is also thought to be effective with minimal side-effects. SoLá is low-level pelvic laser emitter / photobiomodulation device that has FDA approval for intravaginal use to specifically treat myofascial pelvic pain and chronic pelvic pain. Although it is FDA approved and thought to be effective and less invasive, photobiomodulation using SoLá has not been rigorously studied in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Study Aims:

The primary aim is to evaluate the efficacy of SoLá pelvic therapy by comparing reduction in overall pelvic pain between women who undergo 9 treatments of photobiomodulation with SoLá (approximately 1 treatment twice a week), compared to women who receive standard pelvic floor PT once a week for 8 weeks. The secondary aim is to compare dyspareunia, pain with sitting, and compliance with therapy between the two groups.

Study Design and Methods:

The investigators will conduct a RCT comparing overall pelvic pain (primary outcome), dyspareunia, and pain with sitting in women who receive PBMT with SoLá (group 1) vs. women who receive pelvic floor PT (group 2). Twenty-eight total participants will be randomized to either study group after providing informed consent. After enrollment, participants will be treated with 8 weekly treatments of pelvic PT or 9 treatments of SoLá (administered twice weekly). Patient outcomes will be evaluated at baseline (before treatment 1), midway through their treatment (before treatment 5 of SoLá and treatment 5 of PT), and at the end of their treatment (1-2 weeks after treatment 8 of PT/treatment 9 of SoLá and 3 months after treatment 8 of PT/treatment 9 of SoLá). Pain levels will be assessed using the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) which assesses sensory and affective components of pain, Pain Interference Short Form which evaluates the effect of pain on quality of life, and pain severity on a 1-10cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Anticipated Results:

The investigators hypothesize that women who undergo PBMT will demonstrate greater improvements in all pain outcomes when compared to pelvic floor PT.

Being tested
SoLá therapy, Pelvic floor physical therapy
Keywords
photobiomodulation, pelvic floor physical therapy, chronic pelvic pain, spastic pelvic floor syndrome, levator ani syndrome, myalgia of pelvic floor
Medical subject headings
Pelvic Pain, Levator syndrome, Vaginismus

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • SoLá therapyDevice

    SoLá therapy is a photobiomodulation device that works by stimulating mitochondria, soothing tense muscles, and promotes healing.

  • Pelvic floor physical therapyOther

    Physical therapy is manual myofascial release, muscles stretches, and exercises designed to help myofascial pelvic pain

Study groups in NCT05926752
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
PhotobiomodulationActive comparatorThe participant will be treated with intravaginal SoLá photobiomodulation therapy for a total of nine treatments (two treatments a week). Each treatment lasting 5 minutes.
Receives: Device: SoLá therapy
Pelvic Floor Physical therapyActive comparatorThe participant will be treated with pelvic floor physical therapy once a week for 8 weeks. Physical therapy involves standard approach of manual therapy including trigger point release, soft tissue mobilization, stretching, biofeedback, breathing techniques, relaxation yoga, and therapeutic exercises.
Receives: Other: Pelvic floor physical therapy

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Pelvic Pain Intensity

    Change pelvic pain intensity using a 0-10cm visual analog scale. High score means a worse outcome.

    Measured: 3 months post treatment

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Intensity of Dyspareunia

    Change in dyspareunia intensity using a 0-10cm visual analog scale. High score means a worse outcome.

    Measured: 3 months post treatment

  2. Intensity of pain with sitting

    Change in intensity of pain with sitting using a 0-10cm visual analog scale. High score means a worse outcome.

    Measured: 3 months post treatment

  3. Pain interference

    change in the score from the Pain Interference Short Form 8A PROMIS® (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) Health Organizations questionnaire. High score is associated with worse outcome.

    Measured: 3 months post treatment

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted3 Jul 2023
  2. Study start27 Oct 2021
  3. Primary completion1 Feb 2024 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Aug 2024 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
28 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05926752
Sponsor's protocol ID
1591638
Acronym
PMPP
Status last verified
Jun 2023
First submitted
9 Jun 2023
Last updated
3 Jul 2023
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
Individual data sharing
No: Final data sets underlying publications resulting from the proposed research will not be shared outside VA, except as required under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Publications

  • Bonder JH, Chi M, Rispoli L. Myofascial Pelvic Pain and Related Disorders. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2017 Aug;28(3):501-515. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2017.03.005.

    PubMed 28676361
  • Lamvu G, Carrillo J, Witzeman K, Alappattu M. Musculoskeletal Considerations in Female Patients with Chronic Pelvic Pain. Semin Reprod Med. 2018 Mar;36(2):107-115. doi: 10.1055/s-0038-1676085. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

    PubMed 30566976
  • Cichowski SB, Rogers RG, Komesu Y, Murata E, Qualls C, Murata A, Murata G. A 10-yr Analysis of Chronic Pelvic Pain and Chronic Opioid Therapy in the Women Veteran Population. Mil Med. 2018 Nov 1;183(11-12):e635-e640. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usy114.

    PubMed 29788455
  • Fuentes-Marquez P, Cabrera-Martos I, Valenza MC. Physiotherapy interventions for patients with chronic pelvic pain: A systematic review of the literature. Physiother Theory Pract. 2019 Dec;35(12):1131-1138. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2018.1472687. Epub 2018 May 14.

    PubMed 29757068
  • FitzGerald MP, Payne CK, Lukacz ES, Yang CC, Peters KM, Chai TC, Nickel JC, Hanno PM, Kreder KJ, Burks DA, Mayer R, Kotarinos R, Fortman C, Allen TM, Fraser L, Mason-Cover M, Furey C, Odabachian L, Sanfield A, Chu J, Huestis K, Tata GE, Dugan N, Sheth H, Bewyer K, Anaeme A, Newton K, Featherstone W, Halle-Podell R, Cen L, Landis JR, Propert KJ, Foster HE Jr, Kusek JW, Nyberg LM; Interstitial Cystitis Collaborative Research Network. Randomized multicenter clinical trial of myofascial physical therapy in women with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome and pelvic floor tenderness. J Urol. 2012 Jun;187(6):2113-8. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2012.01.123. Epub 2012 Apr 12.

    PubMed 22503015
  • Chow RT, Johnson MI, Lopes-Martins RA, Bjordal JM. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo or active-treatment controlled trials. Lancet. 2009 Dec 5;374(9705):1897-908. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61522-1. Epub 2009 Nov 13.

    PubMed 19913903
  • Glazov G, Yelland M, Emery J. Low-level laser therapy for chronic non-specific low back pain: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Acupunct Med. 2016 Oct;34(5):328-341. doi: 10.1136/acupmed-2015-011036. Epub 2016 May 20.

    PubMed 27207675
  • Lev-Sagie A, Kopitman A, Brzezinski A. Low-Level Laser Therapy for the Treatment of Provoked Vestibulodynia-A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial. J Sex Med. 2017 Nov;14(11):1403-1411. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.09.004. Epub 2017 Sep 29.

    PubMed 28970071

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing SoLá therapy and Pelvic floor physical therapy in people with Pelvic Pain and Levator Ani Syndrome, run by Orlando VA Medical Center at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Jul 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Results are not available in the source record.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Chensi Ouyang, MD (4076314010, chensi.ouyang@va.gov), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Pelvic Pain Intensity (time frame: 3 months post treatment). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05926752, which also lists 8 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 Jul 2023.

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