Comparing the effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy and myofascial release therapy in chronic pelvic pain syndrome: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome is a highly prevalent syndrome. Previous studies showed that extracorporeal shockwave therapy and myofascial release therapy could improve the quality of life in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). Theoretically, combined therapy with extracorporeal shockwave therapy and myofascial release therapy will likely have significant advantages in treating CP/CPPS. We, therefore, present a protocol for conducting a well-designed randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy and safety of each therapy. METHODS: The proposed study will be a three-group randomized control trial (RCT) design that includes 150 participants from Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, with equal allocation of participants to the three intervention groups. The study duration will be 8 weeks, which includes a 4-week treatment period and a 4-week follow-up period. The primary outcome will be the changes in surface electromyography (sEMG) assessment and National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI). The secondary outcomes will include the changes in three-dimensional quantification, shear wave elastography (SWE), and sympathetic skin response (SSR) testing. Assessments will be conducted before the intervention (T0), before the 5th intervention (T1), immediately after the 8th intervention (T2), and the 4th week after the end of the 8th intervention (T3). DISCUSSION: This trial will compare the differences in efficacy between single extracorporeal shockwave therapy, single myofascial release therapy, and combined therapy to select the most appropriate treatment option for patients with CP/CPPS. The possible pathogenesis of CP/CPPS would also be analyzed by comparing the intercorrelation between each objective and subjective measurement (NIH-CPSI score, sEMG, SWE, SSR). TRIAL REGISTRATION: The name of the registry: Extracorporeal Shockwave and Myofascial Release Therapy in Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome. REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05659199. Date of registration: December 2022.

Effects of exercise therapy for pregnancy-related low back pain and pelvic pain: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-related low back pain (PLPB) and pelvic pain (PP) are common in pregnancy. In spite of its high prevalence rate, treatment of the disorder is a challenging topic. Women commonly utilize complementary exercise therapies such as yoga, motor control exercises, breathing exercises, core stability exercise, pelvic stability exercise, and so on to manage their symptoms. However, it is currently unknown whether exercise produces more beneficial effects than other treatment in patients with PLPB and PP. The aim of this study is to explore the therapeutic effect of exercise for pregnancy-related low back pain and PP. METHODS: This review will only include randomized controlled trials. Published articles from July 1999 to July 2019 will be identified using electronic searches. Search strategy will be performed in 3 English databases, 1 Chinese database, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Two reviewers will screen, select studies, extract data, and assess quality independently. The methodological quality including the risk of bias of the included studies will be evaluated using a modified assessment form, which is based on Cochrane assessment tool and Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Review Manager Software (Revman5.3) will be used for heterogeneity assessment, generating funnel-plots, data synthesis, subgroup analysis, and sensitivity analysis. We will use GRADE system to evaluate the quality of our evidence. RESULTS: We will provide some more practical and targeted results investigating the effect of exercise therapy (ET) for PLPB and PP in the current meta-analysis. Meanwhile, we will ascertain study progress of ET for PLPB and PP and find out defects or inadequacies of previous studies, so that future researchers could get beneficial guidance for more rigorous study. CONCLUSION: The stronger evidence about PLPB and PPs rehabilitative effect and safety will be provided for clinicians and policymakers. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD 42017075099.

Effects of core stability exercise for patients with neck pain: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Neck pain is an important cause of disability. In spite of its high prevalence rate, treatment of the disorder is a challenging topic. Exercise therapy appears to be effective at decreasing pain and improving function for patients with NP in practice guidelines. Core stability exercise is becoming increasingly popular for NP. However, it is currently unknown whether core stability exercise produces more beneficial effects than general exercise in patients with NP. The aim of this study is to explore the therapeutic effect of core stability exercise for neck pain. METHODS: This review will only include randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Published articles from July 2009 to July 2019 will be identified using electronic searches. Search strategy will be performed in 3 English databases, 1 Chinese database, and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Two reviewers will screen, select studies, extract data, and assess quality independently. The methodological quality including the risk of bias of the included studies will be evaluated using a modified assessment form, which is based on Cochrane assessment tool and Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Review Manager Software (Revman5.3) will be used for heterogeneity assessment, generating funnel-plots, data synthesis, subgroup analysis, and sensitivity analysis. We will use GRADE system to evaluate the quality of our evidence. RESULTS: We will provide some more practical and targeted results investigating the effect of Core Stability Exercise (CSE) for Neck Pain (NP) in the current meta-analysis. Meanwhile, we will ascertain study progress of Core Stability Exercise for Neck Pain and find out defects or inadequacies of previous studies, so that future researchers could get beneficial guidance for more rigorous study. CONCLUSION: The stronger evidence about Neck Pain's rehabilitative effect and safety will be provided for clinicians and policymakers. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42017055711. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: We do not apply for formal ethical approval from ethics committee because all of the study data in our review will be obtained in an anonymous way. Findings of this study are projected to be disseminated through peer-review publications.