Physiotherapy and combined cognitive-behavioural therapy for patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome: results of a non-randomised controlled feasibility trial

OBJECTIVE: To explore feasibility in terms of delivering and evaluating a combination of physiotherapy and psychotherapy for patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).

DESIGN: Prospective non-randomised controlled pilot study.

SETTING: Tertiary care facility with a specialised interdisciplinary outpatient clinic for patients with CPPS.

PARTICIPANTS: A total of 311 patients was approached; 60 participated. 36 patients were included in the intervention group (mean age ±SD 48.6 years±14.8; 52.8% female) and 24 in the control group (mean age ±SD 50.6 years±14.5; 58.3% female). Fourteen participants were lost to follow-up.

INTERVENTIONS: Participants were non-randomly allocated to the intervention group with two consecutive treatment modules (physiotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy) with a duration of 9 weeks each or to the control group (treatment as usual).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Feasibility was operationalised in terms of delivering and evaluating the therapeutic combination. Regarding eligibility as the first aspect of feasibility, willingness to participate, dropout and satisfaction were assessed; for the second aspect, standardised self-report questionnaires measuring health-related quality of life, depression severity and pain were applied.

RESULTS: Although eligibility and willingness-to-participate rates were low, satisfaction of the participants in the intervention group was high and dropout rates were low. Results indicated a small and non-significant intervention effect in health-related quality of life and significant effects regarding depression severity and pain.

CONCLUSIONS: The combination of physiotherapy and psychotherapy for patients with CPPS seems to be feasible and potentially promising with regard to effect. However, a subsequent fully powered randomised controlled trial is needed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00009976) and ISRCTN (ISRCTN43221600).