Purpose: to evaluate and compare the effects of two different transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) modes (conventional and SLR acupuncture-like TENS) on the female pudendal neuralgia.
Methods: Thirty female patients suffering from chronic pudendal neuralgia from out-clinic of the gynecological and obstetrical department, OM-EL MISRIEEN hospital, were participated in this study. Their ages ranged from 30 to 40 years old. They were assigned randomly into two equal groups; group (A) received the conventional TENS, group (B) received the SLR Acupuncture-likeTENS, in addition to the traditional physical therapy and medical care for both groups, duration of treatment was 20 minutes/session, every other day for 3 months. Measurement of the serum cortisol level (SCL) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) were recorded before and at the end of intervention.
Results: Results showed that both TENS modes were effective in improving the pudendal neuralgia as manifested by significant decreased SCL and VAS (P<0.05) at pre and post treatment program.
Conclusion: SLR acupuncture-like TENS more effective than the conventional TENS in improving the female pudendal neuralgia.