Dyspareunia
Conditions
Keywords
Dyspareunia;, Female;, Sexual Dysfunction;, Exercise Therapy;, Quality of Life;, Depression
Brief summary
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of clinical Pilates exercises on pain, self-esteem, body image, depression, and quality of life in women with dyspareunia. The study addresses dyspareunia as a multifaceted health problem with psychological, social as well as physical implications. it evaluates the effects of pelvic floor-focused clinical Pilates interventions on physiological symptoms and psychosocial well-being. it also demonstrates this approach as effective, safe, and evidence-based method in the treatment of dyspareunia among women in Turkish society.
Detailed description
A total of 20 women with dyspareunia were included in the study. The participants were divided into two groups: the Pilates group (n = 10) and the control group (n = 10). The Pilates group underwent a clinical Pilates exercise program including pelvic floor exercises, supervised by a physiotherapist, 3 days per week for 8 weeks, while no intervention was applied to the control group. Assessments were conducted before and after the program using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Carol Postpartum Sexual Function and Dyspareunia Evaluation Scale (CPCFDDÖ), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Body Image Scale (BIS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the SF-36 Quality of Life Scale.
Interventions
Pelvic Floor-Focused Clinical Pilates Exercises
Sponsors
Okan University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Two groups: intervention (clinical Pilates exercises) and control (no intervention but Information on the fundamental principles of Pilates, pelvic floor anatomy, and dyspareunia )
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Female participants aged 18-55 years * Sexually active * Willing to participate in the study * No communication problems * Experiencing dyspareunia
Exclusion criteria
* Having respiratory or neurological problems * Being pregnant * History of urogenital surgery
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) | Baseline and 8 weeks | The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) is one of the most valid and reliable numerical scales used to assess an individual's pain intensity. Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater pain intensity. A score of "0" represents "no pain," whereas "10" represents "the worst pain imaginable."\*\* |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) | Baseline and 8 weeks | The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is a Likert-type scale consisting of 19 items that evaluates female sexual dysfunction over the past four weeks. The scale assesses six domains: sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain/discomfort. The maximum raw total score is 95 and the minimum is 4; after applying domain-specific weighting coefficients, the total score ranges from 2 to 36. The weighting factors used for scoring are 0.6 for desire; 0.3 for arousal and lubrication; and 0.4 for orgasm, satisfaction, and pain/discomfort. A total score below 26.55 is defined as indicative of sexual dysfunction. Higher scores indicate better sexual function. |
| Carol Postpartum Sexual Function and Dyspareunia Assessment Scale | Baseline and 8 weeks | The Carol Postpartum Sexual Function and Dyspareunia Assessment Scale was developed to evaluate sexual function and the presence of dyspareunia in women who have resumed vaginal intercourse after vaginal delivery. The scale consists of a total of 11 items and classifies the severity of the disorder at different levels. The first seven items are rated using a five-point Likert scale: "never" (0 points), "almost never" (1 point), "sometimes" (2 points), "usually" (3 points), and "always" (4 points). The last four items assess pain intensity using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), with scores ranging from "no pain" (0 points) to "unbearable/maximum pain" (10 points).\*\* |
| Short Form-36 (SF-36) | Baseline and 8 weeks | The Short Form-36 (SF-36) consists of 36 items and evaluates an individual's self-assessment across physical functioning, social functioning, role limitations (due to physical and emotional problems), mental health, vitality (energy), pain, and general perception of health. The assessment considers the previous four weeks. The SF-36 does not have absolute cutoff scores to define good or poor quality of life. However, according to commonly used classifications in the literature, scores are interpreted as follows: 80-100 indicates very good quality of life, 60-79 good, 40-59 moderate, and 0-39 poor quality of life.\*\* |
| Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) | Baseline and 8 weeks | The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is a Likert-type scale developed by Beck to assess emotional, cognitive, and motivational components of depression. The scale evaluates symptoms over the past week and consists of 21 items. Each item has four response options ranging from 0 to 3. Total scores are interpreted as follows: 9 or below indicates "no depression," 10-16 indicates "mild depression," 17-23 indicates "moderate depression," and 24 or higher indicates "severe depression."\*\* |
| Body Image Scale | Baseline and 8 weeks | The Body Image Scale was developed to assess individuals' satisfaction with their body image. It is a 10-item, five-point Likert-type scale with response options ranging from "1-Never," "2-Rarely," "3-Sometimes," "4-Often," to "5-Always." The total score ranges from 10 to 50, with lower scores indicating lower body satisfaction and higher scores indicating higher body satisfaction.\*\* |
| Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale | Baseline and 8 weeks | The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale consists of 10 items and is designed to measure self-esteem. The items are scored using the Guttman method. On the scale, responses eligible for scoring are marked with an asterisk (\*). Scoring is performed as follows: items 1, 2, and 3 are evaluated together; items 4 and 5 together; and items 9 and 10 together. If a respondent scores on any two of the first three items (2/3), they receive one point for that set. If a respondent selects any scoring response for either item 4 or 5, they receive one point for that set. Items 9 and 10 are evaluated in the same way as items 4 and 5. Items 6, 7, and 8 are scored individually. Therefore, the maximum total score is 6. Scores are interpreted as follows: 0-1 indicates high self-esteem, 2-4 indicates moderate self-esteem, and 5-6 indicates low self-esteem.\*\* |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
CONTACTEmine ATICI, PhD, Assoc. Prof.
CONTACTKübra Nur Kavaklı, PT
Outcome results
None listed