Comparing Adjuvant Treatments for High Tone Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Devices such as the Intimate Rose Vibrating Pelvic Floor Massage Wand are not required to indicate a phase for ClinicalTrials.gov. However, this study is marked as phase 2/3 considering the use of a study drug, Cyclobenzaprine.

Inclusion criteria

• Self-reported moderate to severe chronic pelvic pain for >6 months duration at time of screening visit. Moderate to severe chronic pain is defined as >4 on 0-10 (worst daily pain) for >14 days per month. Pelvic pain is defined as pain perceived to be located in the anatomic pelvis.
• Diagnosis of high tone pelvic floor dysfunction (HTPFD), defined as >12/60 summative pelvic floor tenderness score on standardized pelvic examination by chronic pelvic pain specialist (MD or NP) within the past year
• Referred to pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) by their chronic pelvic pain specialist for management of HTPFD
• Willing to undergo a 12-session course of PFPT for HTPFD, including internal/vaginal tissue manipulation per standardized protocol
• Willing to delay start of PFPT until Phase 2 of the trial
• Willing to be randomized to either daily use of cyclobenzaprine or use of vibrating pelvic floor muscle massage wand for total of 18 weeks
• Willing to undergo standardized pelvic floor myofascial exam three times over the study period (baseline, end of Phase 1, end of Phase 2)
• Willing to undergo quantitative sensory testing (QST) two times over the study period (baseline, end of Phase 1)
• Willing to undergo blood draw two times over the study period (baseline, end of Phase 1)
• Ability to read and speak English to allow for written informed consent, phenotyping, and patient-reported outcome measures
• No plans for pregnancy within the next 12 months

Exclusion criteria

• Hypersensitivity or allergy to cyclobenzaprine or any component of cyclobenzaprine
• Underwent PFPT within 6 months of screening date
• Pregnancy at any point during study period (self-reported home urine pregnancy test or serum b-Hcg test, positive urine pregnancy test at baseline, post-Phase 1, or post-Phase 2 study visits).
• Currently breastfeeding at time of screening visit
• Scheduled for or are planning moderate/major gynecologic surgery (including hysterectomy, excision of endometriosis, ovarian cystectomy/oopherectomy, myomectomy) within the following 6 months of screening date
• Current (at time of screening visit) diagnosis of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
• Current significant neurologic or musculoskeletal conditions that would preclude participation in PFPT (cerebral palsy, severe hip/back osteoarthritis that would prevent lithotomy position during sessions)
• Unwilling to avoid or stop baseline use of cyclobenzaprine and other muscle relaxants (including methocarbamol, tizanidine, baclofen, carisoprodol, metaxalone)
• Current use of tricyclic antidepressants
• Current use of monoamine oxidase inhibitor
• Current use of vaginally delivered benzodiazepine such as diazepam (more than once per month) and unwilling to stop use of vaginally delivered benzodiazepine for the duration of this study
• Current diagnosis of hyperthyroidism
• Current diagnosis of moderate or severe hepatic impairment
• Myocardial infarction within prior 12 months
• Current diagnosis of congestive heart failure
• Current cardiac pacemaker in place
• Current diagnosis of closed angle glaucoma
• Current major psychiatric condition (including psychosis or suicidal ideation within past year)