Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42274731›Full record

ReviewInternational urogynecology journal2026

Efficacy and Safety of Energy-Based Device Therapy in Women Diagnosed with Vaginal Relaxation Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Hongqin Chen, Jian Meng, Qiao Li, Wen Pan, Xiaoyu Niu, Dongmei Wei

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review 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 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Observational
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

6 authors.

Hongqin ChenDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Jian MengDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Qiao LiDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Wen PanDepartment of Rehabilitation, People's Hospital of Gong An county, Jingzhou, 434300, Hubei Province, China.
Xiaoyu NiuDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Dongmei WeiDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China. weidongmei@scu.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6922-0296

Funding

Key Research Projects of Sichuan Science and Technology Department No. 2023NSFSC1606Key Research Projects of Sichuan Science and Technology Department No. 2023YFG0128Key Research Projects of Sichuan Science and Technology Department No. 23ZDYF2049National Key Research and Development Program of China 2021YFC2009100National Key Research and Development Program of China 2022YFC2704604National Key Research and Development Program of China No. 2022YFC2704600Research Projects of Sichuan Science and Technology Department No. 2023YFQ0070Research Projects of Sichuan Science and Technology Department No. 2023YFS0024Science & Technology Department of Sichuan Province No. 2019YFS0008Sichuan Provincial Health Commission Project No. 21ZD002Sichuan University No. 21H0103
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introduction and hypothesisTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of energy-based devices (EBDs) in the treatment of vaginal relaxation syndrome (VRS).

methodsSystematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Cochrane Library through September 2024. Studies were eligible if they evaluated EBDs for the management of VRS and reported outcomes related to treatment efficacy, side effects, and follow-up data. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts, extracted data, and assessed study quality. Meta-analyses were performed when appropriate. This systematic review was conducted and reported in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines.

resultsThirty-four studies (7 RCTs, 27 OSs; 1775 participants) were included. RCTs showed improvement in Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Vaginal Laxity Questionnaire (VLQ) scores after laser or radiofrequency (RF) treatment (P > 0.05). OSs demonstrated significant increases in FSFI, VLQ, and Vaginal Health Index scores (all P < 0.05). RF improved Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised scores (P < 0.05). PISQ-12 scores also improved posttreatment (P < 0.05). Mild side effects resolved within 1-2 days.

conclusionCurrent evidence, which mainly comes from observational studies with substantial bias, suggests that EBDs improve vaginal health and sexual function in women with VRS. However, owing to limitations in study quality, further high-quality, large-scale RCTs are needed.

Indexed as

Energy-based deviceMeta-analysisObservational studiesRandomized controlled trialSystematic reviewVaginal relaxation syndrome

Identifiers

PMID42274731

What OpenQuestion holds

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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.