Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42043504›Full record

ArticleInternational urogynecology journal2026

TECAR Therapy in Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation for Women with Pelvic Pain: A Case-Control Study.

Daniela Caramazza, Monia Marturano, Vittoria Rizzitelli, Lediana Kamberaj, Lorenzo Vacca, Andrea Lombisani, Alfredo Ercoli, Giuseppe Campagna

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Article in International urogynecology journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Daniela CaramazzaUOC Ginecologia Chirurgica E Uroginecologia, Ospedale Isola Tiberina - Gemelli Isola, Via Ponte Quattro Capi 39, 00186, Rome, Italy.
Monia MarturanoDepartment of Women's, Child and Public Health Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, UOC Ginecologia Chirurgica E Medicina E Chirurgia Ricostruttiva Pelvica Femminile, Rome, Italy.
Vittoria RizzitelliDepartment of Women's, Child and Public Health Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
Lediana KamberajDepartment of Women's, Child and Public Health Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
Lorenzo VaccaUOC Ginecologia Chirurgica E Uroginecologia, Ospedale Isola Tiberina - Gemelli Isola, Via Ponte Quattro Capi 39, 00186, Rome, Italy. lorenzo.vacca@fbf-isola.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3774-0259
Andrea LombisaniUOC Ginecologia Chirurgica E Uroginecologia, Ospedale Isola Tiberina - Gemelli Isola, Via Ponte Quattro Capi 39, 00186, Rome, Italy.
Alfredo ErcoliGinecologia e Ostetricia, Università Degli Studi Di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Giuseppe CampagnaUOC Ginecologia Chirurgica E Uroginecologia, Ospedale Isola Tiberina - Gemelli Isola, Via Ponte Quattro Capi 39, 00186, Rome, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introduction and hypothesisChronic pelvic pain (CPP) with pelvic floor muscle hypertonicity (PFMH) significantly impacts women's quality of life. The hypothesis is that TECAR therapy in standard pelvic floor rehabilitation would enhance pain reduction.

methodsThis retrospective case-control study included 138 women with CPP and PFMH treated between January and December 2022. Cases (n = 72) received multimodal rehabilitation with bipolar radiofrequency TECAR therapy; controls (n = 66) received standard rehabilitation alone (Kegel exercises, myofascial stretching, low-frequency electrical stimulation). Pain was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at baseline and 1 month after completion of the rehabilitation program. Multivariable logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses identified predictors and optimal treatment thresholds for clinically relevant pain reduction (ΔVAS ≥ 2).

resultsBoth groups showed significant VAS reduction (p < 0.001), but the TECAR group achieved greater pain reduction (median VAS 8.0 → 3.0 vs 8.0 → 4.0; p < 0.001) and required fewer electrical stimulation sessions (7 vs 10, p < 0.001). In cases, the number of TECAR sessions was significantly associated with ΔVAS ≥ 2 in univariate (OR 1.36, 95%CI 1.01-1.83; p = 0.042) and multivariate models adjusted for baseline VAS, age, and BMI (OR 1.40, 95%CI 1.01-1.93; p = 0.041). No variables predicted response in controls. In cases, ROC analysis identified ≥ 6 TECAR sessions as the optimal threshold for meaningful improvement (AUC 0.80, sensitivity 66.7%, specificity 100%). No adverse events occurred.

conclusionsTECAR therapy enhances pelvic floor rehabilitation effectiveness in women with CPP and PFMH, providing superior pain relief with fewer invasive procedures. The six-session threshold may provide evidence-based guidance on treatment. These findings support the integration of TECAR into standard pelvic rehabilitation protocols.

Indexed as

Exercise TherapyPelvic FloorPelvic Floor DisordersPelvic PainAdultCase-Control StudiesElectric Stimulation TherapyFemaleHumansMiddle AgedPain MeasurementRetrospective StudiesTreatment OutcomeChronic pelvic painPelvic floor hypertonicityPelvic rehabilitationRadiofrequencyTECAR therapyUrogynecology

Identifiers

PMID42043504

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.