How to report electrotherapy parameters and procedures for pelvic floor dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
• Electrophysical Agents
• Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction

Background:

• Electrical stimulation is a common treatment for pelvic floor muscle dysfunctions (PFMDs).
• Lack of standardized reporting for electrical stimulation parameters hinders study reproducibility and clinical application.
• Existing literature often lacks clarity on essential parameters, limiting its utility for researchers and clinicians.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a reference standard for reporting electrical stimulation parameters in PFMD.
• To provide clear guidelines for researchers and clinicians utilizing electrical stimulation for PFMD.
• To enhance the reproducibility and clinical relevance of electrical stimulation studies in PFMD.

Main Methods:

• Expert consensus development by specialists in electrophysical agents and PFMD.
• Systematic literature search using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms.
• Discussion and consensus achievement on essential electrical stimulation parameters, physiological meaning, clinical relevance, and electrode/patient positioning.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive description of key electrical stimulation parameters was established.
• Physiological meaning and clinical relevance of each parameter were detailed.
• Guidelines for patient and electrode positioning were included.

Conclusions:

• A consensus-based guideline for reporting electrical stimulation parameters in PFMD treatment was developed.
• This guideline aims to improve clarity, standardization, and reproducibility in PFMD research and clinical practice.
• The established framework will serve as a valuable resource for both clinicians and researchers in the field.