Are positive clinical gains observed following physiotherapy treatment for persistent pelvic pain sustained to 12 months following programme completion? A follow up study

Introduction: Persistent pelvic pain is a common and often debilitating health condition, which is associated with significant healthcare costs. A three-treatment arm clinical trial investigating the impact of physiotherapy in the management of persistent pelvic pain demonstrated positive clinical outcomes, as measured at the conclusion of the programmes, in terms of pain score and pain impact. This study aimed to test the sustainability of the clinical gains observed through to 12 months post-programme completion. Methods: Participants who completed the clinical trial ( N = 66) were contacted as they neared the 12 months anniversary of the completion of their treatment programme. Returned data was collated and analysed against data obtained during the trial, allowing comparison pre-treatment, post-treatment and at 12 months following programme completion. Results: There were 24 returned outcome measurement documents, representing a 38% response rate. Of the three treatments arms piloted in the trial, one arm demonstrated further clinical improvement across a range of domains in the 12 months following treatment, while participants in the other two treatment arms returned data suggesting mild clinical decline. However, when comparing pre-treatment baseline data with data obtained at 12 months post treatment, all three treatment cohorts returned positive clinical gains across all measures. This effect was more pronounced in those who maintained three to six monthly contact with the department following treatment programme completion. Discussion: Physiotherapy treatment – either individual sessions, or a series of individual sessions coupled with group education ± group exercise – results in positive clinical gains from baseline assessment that are sustained through to 12 months following treatment programme completion. Universal trial number: U1111-1228-4810 ANZCTR.