Investigation of acute effects of myofascial trigger point release technique using transperineal ultrasound in women with chronic pelvic pain

This study sought to measure the acute effects of myofascial trigger point relaxation techniques (MTPRT) on pelvic floor muscle (PFM) using TU in women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP). 43 women between the ages of 18 and 55 with a diagnosis of pelvic pain were enrolled in the study. Participants underwent a routine gynecological examination, after which a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to measure pelvic pain and muscle tenderness a perineometer was used to evaluate PFM strength TU was used to evaluate and measure PFM morphology and function. Participants were divided into 3 groups by simple randomization. Group 1: internal MTPRT, group 2: external MTPRT, and group 3: video training with relaxation exercises for pelvic pain. PFM strength, tenderness and morphology, and CPP VAS were repeated after one treatment session. The pelvic pain scores of the pre/post treatment groups decreased significantly in group 1 and group 2, respectively (p=0.002 , p=0.018). No change was observed in group 3 (p=0.336). Significant changes were observed in perineometer, pelvic floor muscle sensitivity and ultrasound measurements after treatment in groups 1 and 2 compared to pre-treatment (p < 0.05). When comparing the differences between groups, the pelvic pain scores differed significantly between groups 1-2 and 1-3 (p=0.016 , p=0.000). The decrease in the number of individuals with sensitive pelvic floor muscles was observed mainly in group 1, and the greatest change in perineometer scores was observed in group 1 (p<0.05). Based on these results, it was suggested that the internal and external trigger point release technique for women with pelvic pain may be a quick and effective method that can be used in clinical practice to reduce pelvic pain and muscle sensitivity and improve pelvic floor muscle function.