Effect of Myofascial Release Combined With Acupressure on BL23 On Chronic Perineal Pain
1 other identifier
interventional
40
1 country
1
Brief Summary
This study aims to determine the effect of the myofascial release combined with acupressure on BL23 on chronic perineal pain.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable
Started Aug 2025
Shorter than P25 for not_applicable
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
August 5, 2025
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
August 12, 2025
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
August 12, 2025
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
October 12, 2025
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
October 26, 2025
CompletedAugust 12, 2025
August 1, 2025
2 months
August 5, 2025
August 5, 2025
Conditions
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Assessment of intensity of perineal pain
The McGill Pain Questionnaire assesses subjective pain experience through three major word descriptor classes: sensory, affective, and evaluative, plus an intensity scale. It provides three quantitative measures: (1) Pain Rating Index (PRI) - based on rank values where words implying least pain=1, increasing sequentially. Separate scores calculated for sensory (subclasses 1-10), affective (11-15), evaluative (16), and miscellaneous (17-20) categories, plus total score (1-20). (2) Number of Words Chosen (NWC) - total descriptors selected. (3) Present Pain Intensity (PPI) - number-word combination indicating overall pain intensity at administration time using 1-5 scale. Designed for statistical analysis of clinical pain.
4 weeks
Secondary Outcomes (2)
Assessment of the quality of the scar
4 weeks
Assessment of quality of life
4 weeks
Study Arms (2)
Self-care and lifestyle intervention advice
ACTIVE COMPARATORIt will include 20 women suffering from chronic postpartum perineal pain. They will receive self-care and lifestyle intervention advice for four weeks during their daily lifestyle routine.
Self-care and lifestyle intervention advice + Myofascial release + Acupressure
EXPERIMENTALIt will include 20 women suffering from chronic postpartum perineal pain. They will receive the same advice as in the experimental group in addition to myofascial release and acupressure on the BL23 point, three sessions per week for four weeks. The duration of the session will be 40 minutes.
Interventions
All females in both groups will follow self-care and lifestyle advice for 4 weeks.
Females in the experimental group will receive intravaginal myofascial release in lithotomic position. After ensuring empty bladder/bowel, therapist uses sterile gloves and lubricant to insert fingers 2-3cm into vagina, pressing vaginal walls bilaterally for 2 minutes. Perineal massage follows, targeting scar tissue and tender points with friction at right angles. Treatment duration starts at 5 minutes (due to pain tolerance) and gradually increases to 20 minutes. Hot pack or ultrasound may be used pre-treatment for pain relief. Therapist performs gentle U-shaped reciprocating massage movements up and down towards rectum for 20 minutes total. Sterile technique maintained throughout with hand washing and glove changes between procedures.
Each female in the experimental group will receive acupressure on BL 23 as follows: Acupressure is also another branch of acupuncture. In this method, fingers press the key points on the skin to stimulate and induce the body's natural self-healing capabilities. In the present study, the BL23 point located 1.5 cm lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra was employed. The therapist will apply pressure on BL 23 points with the thumb for 5 minutes in the counterclockwise direction. In the second 5 minutes, pressure was applied in the opposite direction for 5 minutes. Similarly, the pressure was continued for 20 minutes.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- All women will be diagnosed with chronic perineal pain from episiotomy scar and referred by the gynecologist.
- Their age will range from 18 to 30 years.
- They should not have skin irritation/inflammation at the perineum.
- They should not receive epidural anesthesia, ice packs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during the treatment sessions.
- They should not suffer from major physical problems such as spinal fractures or disc Hernias.
You may not qualify if:
- Having a laceration other than an episiotomy.
- Having an operative vaginal delivery (forceps, vacuum).
- Chronic disease (diabetes mellitus, thyroid, hypertension).
- Regular medication use or any postnatal complication in the newborn.
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- Cairo Universitylead
Study Sites (1)
Cairo University
Giza, Egypt
MeSH Terms
Interventions
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- STUDY CHAIR
Hala Mohamed Hanafy, PhD
Professor, Cairo university
- STUDY DIRECTOR
Mai Mohamed Ali, PhD
Assistant Professor, Cairo university
Central Study Contacts
Mai Mohamed Ali, PhD
CONTACT
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- SINGLE
- Who Masked
- OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Principal Investigator
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
August 5, 2025
First Posted
August 12, 2025
Study Start
August 12, 2025
Primary Completion
October 12, 2025
Study Completion
October 26, 2025
Last Updated
August 12, 2025
Record last verified: 2025-08