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Biofeedback versus electrical stimulation for sexual dysfunction: a randomized clinical trial

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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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Funding

This research did not receive any specific grants from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Etemadzadeh St, Western Fatemi, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, Postal code 1411718541

    Behnaz Aalaie & Afsaneh Dadarkhah

  2. Clinical Biomechanics and Ergonomics Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Behroz Tavana, Zahra Rezasoltani & Afsaneh Dadarkhah

  3. School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Solmaz Aalaei & Jamshid Ghaderi

Authors
  1. Behnaz Aalaie
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  2. Behroz Tavana
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  3. Zahra Rezasoltani
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  4. Solmaz Aalaei
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  5. Jamshid Ghaderi
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  6. Afsaneh Dadarkhah
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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.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Afsaneh Dadarkhah.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethics approval

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

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