Transcutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation for Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Gynecology
• Pain Management
• Neuromodulation

Background:

• Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) significantly impacts women's quality of life.
• Current treatments like NSAIDs and hormonal therapy have limitations.
• Physiotherapeutic techniques show short-term efficacy but don't address underlying causes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) for managing primary dysmenorrhea.
• To assess TTNS's impact on pain intensity, duration, quality of life, and treatment satisfaction.
• To determine the long-term benefits and safety of TTNS in PD patients.

Main Methods:

• A single-blind, randomized clinical trial with two parallel arms (TTNS vs. placebo).
• 12 weekly treatment sessions of TTNS or simulated stimulation.
• Data collection included pain intensity, medication use, quality of life, and sleep quality over 6 months.

Main Results:

• TTNS demonstrated effectiveness in modulating pain intensity and severity.
• The study measured improvements in quality of life and sleep quality.
• No significant secondary effects were reported, indicating a favorable safety profile.

Conclusions:

• Transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) is a promising, non-invasive treatment for primary dysmenorrhea.
• TTNS offers potential for sustained pain relief and improved quality of life.
• The low-cost, comfortable nature of TTNS suggests it could be a valuable addition to PD management.