Actively Recruiting
Transvaginal Electrical Stimulation for Myofascial Pelvic Pain
Led by University of California, Los Angeles · Updated on 2026-04-13
60
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
213 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Myofascial Pelvic Pain (MPP) is a frequently overlooked musculoskeletal cause of chronic pelvic pain affecting 10-20% of all adult women. Despite high prevalence and societal costs, few effective treatments exist and are difficult to access due to shortages of skilled personnel. Treatments for MPP using electrical stimulation to induce muscle fatigue have proven efficacy at reducing pain, improving circulation, and promoting tissue healing, but have proven difficult to implement in gynecologic practice. The aim of this three-arm randomized study is to evaluate the utility of transvaginal electrical stimulation at a fixed frequency of 200 Hz in women with symptomatic MPP in comparison to the standard, first-line treatment with education, stretching, and low-impact exercise. Nursing staff without prior training will be taught to deliver this high-frequency transvaginal electrical stimulation (HF-TES) treatment using the device. Responses to treatment provided by a specialist physician and licensed vocational nurse will be compared. Patients with \>50% pain improvement will determine the effectiveness of HF-TES. Responses to treatment provided by a specialist physician and licensed vocational nurse will also be compared. Participants will be followed for 3 months following treatment completion.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Transvaginal Electrical Stimulation for Myofascial Pelvic Pain
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Women between 18 and 65 years of age
- Pelvic pain lasting more than 6 months
- Average daily pain intensity of at least 4 on a 0 to 10 scale
- Palpable trigger points in internal pelvic floor muscles on exam
- Willing to avoid new clinical treatments that might affect pain during the study
You will not qualify if you...
- Unable to attend weekly clinic visits
- Previous invasive pelvic procedures for pain (e.g., surgery, injections, Botox)
- Active urinary tract or vaginal infection
- Pregnancy, childbirth within past 12 months, or planning pregnancy
- Drug addiction
- Prior pelvic floor physical therapy
- Serious medical conditions such as poorly controlled diabetes, neurologic or rheumatic disease
- Diagnosed with other causes of pelvic pain (e.g., interstitial cystitis, dysmenorrhea, vulvar conditions)
- Urinary retention
- Pelvic organ prolapse greater than stage 3
- Use of indwelling vaginal devices (e.g., pessary, contraceptive ring)
- Unable to provide informed consent or complete study questionnaires
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
UCLA Center for Women's Pelvic Health
Los Angeles, California, United States, 90095
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
A. Lenore Ackerman, MD, PhD
CONTACT
K
Katie Levitt
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
3
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