Randomized Controlled Trial of Vaginal Cryotherapy for Pelvic Floor Myofascial Pain

NCT ID: NCT03885791

Last Updated: 2021-05-05

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

UNKNOWN

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

132 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2019-03-22

Study Completion Date

2021-12-30

Brief Summary

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This is a placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trial to investigate the role of vaginal cryotherapy on pelvic floor myofascial pain in women. This study involves randomizing patients who are found to have pelvic floor myofascial pain on examination into one of two treatment groups: transvaginal cryotherapy or transvaginal application of a room-temperature tube. Patients will be followed up at two different time points in order to assess response to treatment. Follow-up times include immediately after application (Specific Aim #1) and two weeks following use of the intervention alone (Specific Aim #2). Patients will receive verbal and written instructions on using the intravaginal tubes by the research assistant who will not be blinded to treatment allocation. Patients will not be blinded to their treatment assignment but will not be given information on the alternative treatment. Patients will be referred to pelvic floor PT, which is considered the standard of care for treatment of pelvic floor myofascial pain at this time. As it typically takes 2-3 weeks to get in to see one of the pelvic floor PT providers at Wash U, follow up for this study will be completed prior to their attendance at pelvic floor PT. Patients will complete validated questionnaires assessing their pain, other pelvic floor symptoms, and acceptance of the intervention as a treatment option at the follow up time points.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Pelvic Floor Myofascial Pain Pelvic Pain Myofascial Pain

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Vaginal cryotherapy - intervention

The intervention group will be provided with one vaginal cryotherapy tube, filled with a mixture of isopropyl alcohol (2ml) and water (8ml) that has been kept in the freezer. This mixture results in a "slushy" consistency and prevents the solution from freezing solid thus decreases the risk of discomfort or injury due to the temperature of the tube. Patients will insert this tube into the vagina to a comfortable depth. A lubricant will be provided for comfort with tube insertion, if necessary. At the conclusion of the treatment, this tube will be washed thoroughly and given to the patient in a clean plastic baggie for use at home. They will be instructed to store these tubes in their home freezer.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

vaginal cryotherapy

Intervention Type DEVICE

Both groups will be given the same instructions for use, which will include intravaginal placement of one tube for 10 minutes while resting in a supine position. A lubricant may be used for comfort with insertion.

Patients will perform their first intervention in the office with a repeat examination within 10 minutes of completing therapy. Patients participating in Specific Aims #2 will perform the intervention once daily at home. Patients will be asked to complete a short diary for each session, which will include the time of day, duration of application, pain score prior to and after application, and presence of any pelvic floor disorder symptoms prior to and after application.

Vaginal cryotherapy - control

The control group will be provided with an identical tube that is empty. An empty tube was chosen as the control because a tube with room-temperature liquid may still be perceived as cold. Patients will insert this tube into the vagina to a comfortable depth. A lubricant will be provided for comfort with tube insertion, if necessary. At the conclusion of the treatment, this tube will be washed thoroughly and given to the patient in a clean plastic baggie for use at home. They will be instructed to store these tubes in their home at room temperature.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

vaginal cryotherapy

Intervention Type DEVICE

Both groups will be given the same instructions for use, which will include intravaginal placement of one tube for 10 minutes while resting in a supine position. A lubricant may be used for comfort with insertion.

Patients will perform their first intervention in the office with a repeat examination within 10 minutes of completing therapy. Patients participating in Specific Aims #2 will perform the intervention once daily at home. Patients will be asked to complete a short diary for each session, which will include the time of day, duration of application, pain score prior to and after application, and presence of any pelvic floor disorder symptoms prior to and after application.

Interventions

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vaginal cryotherapy

Both groups will be given the same instructions for use, which will include intravaginal placement of one tube for 10 minutes while resting in a supine position. A lubricant may be used for comfort with insertion.

Patients will perform their first intervention in the office with a repeat examination within 10 minutes of completing therapy. Patients participating in Specific Aims #2 will perform the intervention once daily at home. Patients will be asked to complete a short diary for each session, which will include the time of day, duration of application, pain score prior to and after application, and presence of any pelvic floor disorder symptoms prior to and after application.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Adult (\>18yo)
* Women
* Patients found to have pelvic floor myofascial pain of at least 4/10 in severity at any of the four sites (right obturator internus, right levator ani, left levator ani, left obturator internus)

Exclusion Criteria

* Age \<18
* Non-English speaking
* Current diagnosis of dementia
* Limited physical mobility that would prevent full participation in pelvic floor PT.
* Prior use of vaginal cryotherapy
* Chief complaint or known history of pelvic pain
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Washington University School of Medicine

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

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Center for Outpatient Health/Washington University in St. Louis

St Louis, Missouri, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Jerry Lowder, MD

Role: CONTACT

3147471402

Haidy Morsy, MD

Role: CONTACT

314-273-1905

Facility Contacts

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Jerry Lowder, MD

Role: primary

314-747-1402

Haidy Morsy, MD

Role: backup

314-273-1905

References

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Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Other Identifiers

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201901209

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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