Randomized, controlled clinical trials of treatments for chronic anal pain
| Author, year | Diagnosis | Intervention | Comparator(s) | Main findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eckardt et al 199610 N = 16 (crossover) | Proctalgia fugax | Inhaled salbutamol | Placebo | Salbutamol shortened duration of severe pain vs placebo (P = .019); effect most marked in patients having prolonged attacks |
| Abbott et al 200611 N = 60 | Pelvic floor myofascial pain | Botulinum toxin A; pelvic floor injection | Placebo: saline injection | Significant reductions in dyspareunia and pelvic floor pressure with both botulinum toxin and placebo |
| Dessie et al 201912 N = 59 | Myofascia pelvic pain | Botulinum toxin A; pelvic floor injection | Placebo: saline injection | No significant clinical effect |
| Rao et al 200913 N = 10a (crossover) | Levator ani syndrome | Botulinum toxin A; transanal injection | Placebo | No effect of either botulinum toxin or placebo |
| Chiarioni et al 201014 N = 157 | Levator ani syndrome | Biofeedback | EGS; levator muscle massage | 12-month results Pain days: 14.7 (baseline) 3.3 (biofeedback) vs 8.9 (EGS) and 13.3 (massage) Pain intensity: 6.8 (baseline) 1.8 (biofeedback) vs 4.7 (EGS) and 6.0 (massage) Adequate relief: 87% (biofeedback) vs 45% (EGS) and 22% (massage) |
| Zoorob et al 201515 N = 29 | Levator ani syndrome | Steroid injections in levator ani trigger points | Pelvic floor physiotherapy | Both groups improved equally (60% achieved 50% reduction in symptoms) |
↵a Only 7 had complete data.
EGS = electrogalvanic stimulation