Mensendieck somatocognitive therapy as treatment approach to chronic pelvic pain: Results of a randomized controlled intervention study

The etiology of chronic pelvic pain is disputed and multifactorial. We studied the effect of Mensendieck somatocognitive therapy aimed at reducing physical pain by changing posture, movement and respiration patterns combined with standard gynecological treatment. Women with chronic pelvic pain unexp...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2006-05, Vol.194 (5), p.1303-1310
Main Authors: Haugstad, Gro K., Haugstad, Tor S., Kirste, Unni M., Leganger, Siv, Klemmetsen, Inger, Malt, Ulrik F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Analgesics - therapeutic use
Biological and medical sciences
Chronic Disease
Chronic pelvic pain
Cognitive Therapy
Female
Gynecology - methods
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Hormones - therapeutic use
Humans
Medical sciences
Mensendieck somatocognitive therapy
Middle Aged
Motor function
Movement
Pain Measurement
Pelvic Pain - physiopathology
Pelvic Pain - therapy
Posture
Respiration
Treatment Outcome
Visual analogue score of pain
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The etiology of chronic pelvic pain is disputed and multifactorial. We studied the effect of Mensendieck somatocognitive therapy aimed at reducing physical pain by changing posture, movement and respiration patterns combined with standard gynecological treatment. Women with chronic pelvic pain unexplained by pelvic pathology were randomized into 2 groups: (1) standard gynecological treatment and (2) gynecological treatment plus somatocognitive therapy. A Mensendieck test of motor function (posture, movement, gait, sitting posture, respiration) and a visual analogue score of pain were obtained before and after the 90-day treatment period. The test results of patients treated by standard gynecological measures were unchanged (nonsignificant). By contrast, the patients receiving somatocognitive therapy in addition improved scores by 25% to 60% for all motor functions (P < .01, largest improvement for respiration, up from average 2.98 [SEM 0.30] to 4.72 [0.37]), and pain scores reduced by 50% (down from 5.60 [0.40] to 2.89 [0.40], P < .01). Mensendieck somatocognitive therapy combined with standard gynecological care improved pain experience and motor functions of women with chronic pelvic pain better than gynecological treatment alone.
ISSN:0002-9378
1097-6868
DOI:10.1016/j.ajog.2005.10.793