What question did this study set out to answer?

This trial investigates the efficacy of acupuncture in treating myofascial pelvic pain syndrome (MPPS) in women.

June 19, 2026Open Access

Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment in the Treatment of Female Myofascial Pelvic Pain Syndrome: A Protocol for a Dual-Center Randomized Controlled Trial

Key Points

This trial investigates the efficacy of acupuncture in treating myofascial pelvic pain syndrome (MPPS) in women.
Dual-center, parallel, randomized controlled trial with 180 participants.
Participants randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture or electromyographic biofeedback with neuromuscular electrical stimulation for 3 weeks.
Primary and secondary outcomes assessed at multiple time points, including pain intensity and pelvic floor function.
Efficacy evaluated through pain intensity (VAS), with comparisons to EMG-BF+NMES.
Findings will support clinical evidence for acupuncture in managing MPPS.
Adverse events will be monitored throughout the treatment period.

Abstract

Introduction: Myofascial pelvic pain syndrome (MPPS) is a form of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), significantly affecting women’s physical and mental health. To date, high-quality evidence regarding the efficacy of acupuncture for treating MPPS is lacking. This dual-center randomized controlled trial aims to investigate whether acupuncture is effective for MPPS. Methods and Analysis: A dual-center, parallel, randomized, controlled trial will recruit 180 participants diagnosed with MPPS, who will be randomly allocated (1:1) via computer-generated block randomization to receive either acupuncture treatment or combined electromyographic biofeedback with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (EMG-BF+NMES) for 3 weeks. Primary outcomes include pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale, VAS), myofascial tenderness, pelvic floor muscle function (Modified Oxford Scale), and ultrasound-guided VAS of myofascial trigger points. Secondary outcomes encompass pelvic floor neuromuscular activity (surface electromyography using the Glazer Protocol), Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-Short Form 20 (PFDI-20), Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 (PFIQ-7), Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms (PAC-SYM), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Assessments are scheduled at baseline (T0), immediately after the initial intervention (T1), at 1, 2, 3 weeks post-intervention (T2–T4), and at 3-month post-treatment follow-up (T5). Adverse events will be collected and recorded throughout the treatment period. Conclusion: This trial will evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for MPPS, compare its therapeutic effects with EMG-BF+NMES, and provide evidence to support the clinical application of acupuncture. Ethics and Dissemination: This study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Approval No. 2025LL003). Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and academic conferences. Trial Registration Number: ITMCTR2025000458. Keywords: acupuncture, myofascial pelvic pain syndrome, electromyographic biofeedback, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, randomized controlled trial

Bookmark

View Full Paper