Abstract
Introduction and hypothesis
Sexual dysfunction is a common problem in the general population. We compared the effects of biofeedback and electrical stimulation on the symptoms of sexual pain dysfunction in women with urinary stress incontinence.
Methods
We carried out a parallel randomized clinical trial in an outpatient department for physical medicine and rehabilitation at a university hospital. Based on DSM-5 criteria for sexual dysfunction, 22 patients with sexual dysfunction and stress incontinence were included and randomly allocated to each study arm. The primary outcome measure was the total score on the Female Sexual Function Index. Each group underwent pertinent treatment for 100 min, two times a week for 6 weeks.
Results
Both groups showed favorable outcomes in increasing Female Sexual Function Index mean scores and their domains. However, for improving sexual function, women in the biofeedback group benefited more than those receiving electrical stimulation. Biofeedback raised desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction scores more than electrical stimulation (all p ≤ 0.025). Both interventions decreased pain during or following vaginal penetration similarly (p = 0.985).
Conclusions
Both biofeedback and electrical stimulation increased the Female Sexual Function Index score. However, to improve sexual function, women undergoing biofeedback seem to benefit more than those receiving electrical stimulation. We recommend considering the prescription of biofeedback for the treatment of sexual dysfunction because of its efficacy, lack of adverse effects, and easy application.
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This research did not receive any specific grants from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
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Contributions
B. Aalaie guided recruitment, performed the patient interviews and physical examination, and contributed to the design. B. Tavana designed, coordinated, and supervised the study. Z. Rezasoltani contributed to the design, guided the development of the study protocol, and participated in the physical examination. S. Aalaie and J. Ghaderi contributed to the concept, helped with the literature review, and interviewed the patients. A. Dadarkhah contributed to the design, performed statistical analyses, and supervised electrical stimulation and biofeedback sessions. All the authors participated in the draft and its final approval.
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From the review board of Aja University of Medical Sciences with the ethics committee reference no. IR.AJAUMS.REC.1396.106.
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Highlights
• Biofeedback is a safe, high potential, yet easy to perform therapeutic measure for sexual dysfunction.
• Electrical stimulation is an effective, safe, and easy treatment for sexual dysfunction.
• Biofeedback is more effective than electrical stimulation in increasing the quality of sexual function and satisfaction.
Registration
Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) website http://www.irct.ir/, a WHO Primary Register setup, with registration code: IRCTID: IRCT20180416039319N1.
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Aalaie, B., Tavana, B., Rezasoltani, Z. et al. Biofeedback versus electrical stimulation for sexual dysfunction: a randomized clinical trial. Int Urogynecol J 32, 1195–1203 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-020-04373-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-020-04373-7