The Effect of Laser Biostimulation at Sensitized Acupoints on Chronic Pelvic Pain and Quality of Life in Women with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common complication of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Although acupuncture has been increasingly used for the management of CPP, there is insufficient research to support the use of laser stimulation of sensitized acupoints. This study aimed to investigate the effects of laser on sensitized acupoints on pelvic pain perception and quality of life in women with pelvic inflammatory disease. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six women with CPP caused by chronic pelvic inflammatory disease were randomly divided into two equal groups. Both groups received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, while the study group also received a low-level laser at sensitized acupoints for 6 weeks. All the patients were evaluated before and after the intervention. The 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) was used to measure the quality of life, while a pressure algometer and visual analog scale for pain (VAS-P) were used to measure pain sensitivity and intensity, respectively. A mixed MANOVA was used to investigate the effects of the treatment. Results: A mixed MANOVA on VAS, SF-12, and PPT scores revealed significant interaction effects of treatment and time (F = 38.34, p = 0.001, partial η 2 = 0.96) and main effects of treatment (F = 9.74, p = 0.001) and time (F = 110.1, p = 0.001). Post-treatment, the study group showed greater reductions in VAS (MD = −1.00, p = 0.001), improvements in SF-12 (MD = 9.11, p = 0.001), and increased Pressure Pain Thresholds (PPT) at multiple anatomical points (p = 0.001–0.01). Conclusions: Laser biostimulation of neurogenic-sensitized acupoints significantly improves pain perception, intensity, and quality of life in women with CPP. suggested that the utilization of laser therapy at sensitized acupoints should be considered a potential component of a rehabilitation program for females suffering from chronic pelvic pain resulting from pelvic inflammatory disease. (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT05537207; Date of registration: 13 September 2022).