Effect of Thiele massage and transcutaneous electrical stimulation on quality of life and physical symptoms in women with endometriosis: a randomized clinical trial (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Introduction: Endometriosis is a chronic disease capable of drastically interfering with women's quality of life. Available treatments fail to manage pain and improve patients' quality of life. Despite being a growing variable in studies, there is a shortage of alternative techniques for managing pain and improving quality of life. Objective: To evaluate the effect of Thiele massage and transcutaneous electrical stimulation on quality of life and physical symptoms in women with endometriosis through a randomized clinical trial. Methodology: a total of 21 volunteers participated in 3 intervention groups. In G1 there was application of Thiele massage, in G2 there was application of transcutaneous electrical stimulation and in G3 there was a combination of both techniques. Assessments were measured using the Visual Analogue Pain Scale and the questionnaire: Endometriosis Health Profile Questionnaire-30. Results: For quality of life there was a significant improvement (p ≤ 0.05) in the 3 intervention groups; diffuse abdominal pain, pain on vaginal palpation and the presence of trigger points, a statistical improvement was found only in G1 and G3; pain during sexual intercourse achieved a statistical improvement of 100% in G1 and G2. Conclusion: Electrical stimulation and Thiele massage resulted in a better assessment of quality of life in patients with endometriosis, with no difference between the techniques. Thiele's massage improved physical symptoms related to endometriosis. Electrostimulation was not able to obtain statistical improvement in physical symptoms, only in pain during sexual intercourse. The combination of the two techniques improved abdominal and vaginal pain, but did not improve strength or pain during sexual intercourse.