Assessing Kinesiophobia and Catastrophizing Patient-Reported Outcomes in a Randomized Controlled Trial: Efficacy of Capacitive-Resistive Monopolar Radiofrequency Combined with Myofascial Techniques vs. Sham Radiofrequency in Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome—A Secondary Analysis
摘要
Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome causes psychological distress, worsened by kinesiophobia and pain catastrophizing. This study assesses whether combining capacitive-resistive monopolar radiofrequency with myofascial techniques is more effective than myofascial techniques alone for improving psychological outcomes such as kinesiophobia and catastrophizing.
MethodsThis double-blind, randomized controlled trial enrolled 81 chronic pelvic pain syndrome patients (67.9% female, mean age 43.6 years) from March 2019 to April 2021. Participants were assigned to either an activated (intervention) or deactivated (control) capacitive-resistive monopolar radiofrequency group, with both groups receiving physiotherapy and pain education over 10 weeks. Outcomes on kinesiophobia and catastrophizing were assessed at weeks 5 and 10, using the Spanish versions of the Tampa Scale (TSK-11) and Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS).
ResultsAt treatment’s end, the intervention group showed greater improvement in kinesiophobia (3 points) compared to controls, though nonsignificant (p = .099). The intervention also significantly reduced catastrophizing scores by 8 points versus control (p = .042). No major adverse effects occurred, and adherence was high (86.4%), with no differences between groups.
ConclusionThis study shows that combining capacitive-resistive monopolar radiofrequency with myofascial techniques can improve kinesiophobia and catastrophizing in chronic pelvic pain syndrome patients, such as fear movement and catastrophic thinking related to pain. This marks a potential breakthrough in chronic pain management. Future research should focus on larger, multicenter RCTs with extended follow-up periods to better assess long-term effects.
RegistrationClinical trial registration (NCT03797911).