Parameterization of electrotherapy interventions in physiotherapy for pelvic floor dysfunctions: a systematic review

To determine which parameters of the currents used with electrotherapy in pelvic floor dysfunctions are more appropriate for the proposed objectives regarding the relief of the symptomatology of certain clinical conditions.

A systematic review was performed in CENTRAL, PubMed/MEDLINE and PEDro databases. The risk of bias and methodological quality in the included studies was assessed using the ROBINS-I, JADAD and PEDro scales, respectively.

The review included randomized controlled trials, with adult patients aged 18 years or older, that incorporated the use of electrical currents in the conservative treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions.

After meeting the evaluation and inclusion-exclusion criteria, 14 articles were selected following the PRISMA guidelines.

There is a certain lack of homogeneity in the choice of the parameters of the electrotherapy currents used in pelvic floor dysfunctions. There is evidence supporting the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrostimulation in pelvic floor muscle re-education due to its functional improvements, as well as the application of analgesic electrical current therapy such as TENS for the modulation of clinical conditions involving pain.