Capacitive Resistive Monopolar Resistive Radiofrequency for Pain Relief and Quality of Life Improvement in Individuals with Primary Dysmenorrhea

Wendy Tzyy-Jiuan Wang, Mu-Jie Lu
Purpose:

The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of CRMRF treatment at 448 kHz in conjunction with exercises for pain reduction and improvements in quality of life (QoL) among women with PD.

Methods:

This study was a prospective randomized controlled trial. Twenty-six females with PD were recruited and randomly assigned to either the CRMRF group (n = 14; mean age: 24.71 ± 4.18 years) or the sham-CRMRF group (n = 12; mean age: 21.83 ± 2.44 years). Participants in the CRMRF group received CRMRF interventions, while those in the sham-CRMRF group received sham interventions. Both groups also underwent exercise regimens. Each CRMRF intervention lasted for 15 minutes per session, occurring twice a week for four weeks, whereas each exercise intervention lasted for 45 minutes per session, occurring three times a week for eight weeks. Outcome measures included: (1) pain intensity assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), (2) quality of life (QoL) assessed using the Chinese version of the European Quality of Life 5-Dimensions 5-Level Instrument (EQ-5D-5L), and (3) menstrual distress assessed using the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ). Outcome measures were recorded at baseline and during two menstrual cycles.

Results:

After 8 weeks of CRMRF treatment, the CRMRF group experienced significantly greater reductions in pain intensity (p = 0.029) and improvements in QoL (EQ-index, p = 0.002; EQ VAS, p = 0.011) compared to the sham-CRMRF group. In terms of menstrual distress (CRMRF group, p 0.001; sham-CRMRF group, p = 0.011) and analgesic use (CRMRF group, p 0.001; sham-CRMRF group, p = 0.028), both groups showed significant improvements in the second month. However, the CRMRF group exhibited significant improvements during the first month, while no such changes were observed in the sham-CRMRF group during this period.

Conclusion(s):

CRMRF treatment, in combination with exercise, is an effective intervention for reducing pain intensity and improving quality of life in women with PD. The CRMRF group exhibited significant improvements in pain relief, QoL, and menstrual distress compared to the sham-CRMRF group.

Implications:

CRMRF therapy may offer a promising therapeutic option for women suffering from PD, enhancing both clinical outcomes and the overall management of menstrual-related discomfort.

Funding acknowledgements:
This work was supported by the National Science and Technology Council, Taipei, Taiwan (NSTC 112-2813-C-A49-113-B)
Keywords:
Primary Dysmenorrhea
Capacitive Resistive Monopolar Radiofrequency
Exercise
Primary topic:
Pain and pain management
Second topic:
Pelvic, sexual and reproductive health
Third topic:
Women's health
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
Institutional Review Board of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Provide the ethics approval number:
NYCU112126AE
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

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