Is There Sufficient Evidence to Validate Physiotherapy as an Effective Approach for Managing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease—A Comprehensive Systematic Review
摘要
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) refers to the clinical condition linked to inflammation of the upper genital tract due to the transmission of microorganisms from the lower genital tract to the upper region (Simms and Stephenson in Sex Transm Infect 76:80–87, 2000). The pathogenesis and range of conditions associated with PID encompass ectopic pregnancy, tubal factor infertility (TFI), and chronic pelvic pain (Simms and Stephenson in Sex Transm Infect 76:80–87, 2000). Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a common gynecological disorder with significant implications for women’s reproductive health, traditionally managed with pharmacological interventions.Recent interest in non-pharmacologic therapies, particularly physiotherapy, has prompted investigation into its effectiveness as a complementary treatment for PID. This comprehensive systematic review synthesizes current evidence from clinical studies and reviews regarding the role of physiotherapy in PID management. Findings highlight that physiotherapeutic interventions—including short wave diathermy, pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation, manual therapy, and exercise—may reduce pain, enhance functional recovery, and improve quality of life, especially when integrated with standard medical treatment. While multimodal physical therapy demonstrates notable benefits in treating chronic pelvic pain syndromes, evidence explicitly focused on PID remains limited by small sample sizes and heterogeneous study designs. Nevertheless, adjunctive physiotherapy appears promising for both acute and chronic/recurrent PID, offering sustained symptom relief and functional improvements. The review underscores the necessity for more high-quality, PID-specific randomized controlled trials to establish protocols and validate efficacy. In conclusion, physiotherapy currently represents a well-tolerated adjunctive approach with potential to optimize care for women with PID, pending further targeted research.