{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,15]],"date-time":"2026-10-15T20:33:35Z","timestamp":1792096415408,"version":"4.4.0"},"reference-count":44,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"3","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2022,3,17]],"date-time":"2022-03-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1647475200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Medicina"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background and Objectives: In recent years, the use of radiofrequency diathermy in pelvic floor disorders has grown proportionally to the interest in this specialty. Despite the common use of this therapy among pelvic floor physiotherapists, little is known about its effects and effectiveness in pelvic floor disorders. For this reason, the aim of the present review is to assess the effects of non-invasive 300 kHz\u20131 MHz radiofrequency diathermy in the treatment of pelvic floor disorders. Materials and Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, searching for any type of study that included pelvic floor disorder participants and an experimental group treated with non-invasive nor ablative radiofrequency diathermy. Results: There were a total of 578 studies after removing duplicates. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, resulting in a total of 15 studies, which were methodologically assessed with PEDro and the Newcastle and Ottawa scale. Conclusions: Despite the low quality of most of them, the studies showed improvements in urinary incontinence, pelvic pain conditions, pelvic floor muscles strength and sexual function. These findings must be considered with caution until more randomized clinical trials are performed to solve the biases detected.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/medicina58030437","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2022,3,20]],"date-time":"2022-03-20T21:34:27Z","timestamp":1647812067000},"page":"437","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":25,"title":["Effects of Non-Invasive Radiofrequency Diathermy in Pelvic Floor Disorders: A Systematic Review"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"58","author":[{"given":"Mar\u00eda Dolores","family":"Gonz\u00e1lez-Guti\u00e9rrez","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Centro de Fisioterapia Lola Gonz\u00e1lez, Calle Cronista Salcedo Hierro, 8, 14001 Cordoba, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"\u00c1lvaro","family":"L\u00f3pez-Garrido","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Cl\u00ednica Cefire, Calle Blas Infante, 3, 23400 \u00dabeda, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1876-1399","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Irene","family":"Cort\u00e9s-P\u00e9rez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaen, Campus las Lagunillas, 23071 Ja\u00e9n, Spain"},{"name":"Poniente de Almer\u00eda Northeast Health District, Andalusian Health Service, 04740 Roquetas de Mar, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8430-5500","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Esteban","family":"Obrero-Gait\u00e1n","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaen, Campus las Lagunillas, 23071 Ja\u00e9n, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9426-379X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Felipe","family":"Le\u00f3n-Morillas","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Physiotherapy, Catholic University of Murcia UCAM, Avenida de los Jer\u00f3nimos, 30107 Murcia, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9103-9696","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alfonso Javier","family":"Ib\u00e1\u00f1ez-Vera","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaen, Campus las Lagunillas, 23071 Ja\u00e9n, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2022,3,17]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"137","DOI":"10.1080\/21679169.2017.1316310","article-title":"Continuous-mode 448\u2009kHz capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency induces greater deep blood flow changes compared to pulsed mode shortwave: A crossover study in healthy adults","volume":"19","author":"Kumaran","year":"2017","journal-title":"Eur. J. Physiother."},{"key":"ref_2","first-page":"1","article-title":"Thermal build-up, decay and retention responses to local therapeutic application of 448 kHz capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency: A prospective randomised crossover study in healthy adults","volume":"6736","author":"Kumaran","year":"2015","journal-title":"Int. J. Hyperth."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"241","DOI":"10.1179\/1743288X15Y.0000000016","article-title":"Radiofrequency-based treatment in therapy-related clinical practice\u2014A narrative review. Part II: Chronic conditions","volume":"20","author":"Kumaran","year":"2015","journal-title":"Phys. Ther. Rev."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"291","DOI":"10.1097\/MRR.0000000000000435","article-title":"Capacitive and resistive electric transfer therapy in rehabilitation: A systematic review","volume":"43","author":"Beltrame","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int. J. Rehabil. Res."},{"key":"ref_5","first-page":"8","article-title":"Radiofrequency in aesthetics skin treatment: Classification and modalities","volume":"1","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Dermatol. Res. Ski. Care"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"485","DOI":"10.1097\/GCO.0000000000000584","article-title":"Pelvic floor physical therapy in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction in women","volume":"31","author":"Wallace","year":"2019","journal-title":"Curr. Opin. Obstet. Gynecol."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"589","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pmr.2017.03.009","article-title":"Physical Therapy Treatment of Pelvic Pain","volume":"28","author":"Bradley","year":"2017","journal-title":"Phys. Med. Rehabil. Clin. N. Am."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Albornoz-Cabello, M., Barrios-Quinta, C.J., Escobio-Prieto, I., Sobrino-S\u00e1nchez, R., Ib\u00e1\u00f1ez-Vera, A.J., and Espejo-Ant\u00fanez, L. (2021). Treatment of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome with Dielectric Radiofrequency Diathermy: A Preliminary Single\u2014Group Study with Six-Month Follow-Up. Medicina, 57.","DOI":"10.3390\/medicina57050429"},{"key":"ref_9","first-page":"1","article-title":"Monopolar dielectric diathermy by emission of radiofrequency in Patellofemoral pain. A single-blind-randomized clinical trial","volume":"39","year":"2020","journal-title":"Electromagn. Biol. Med."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"98","DOI":"10.1016\/j.physio.2018.07.004","article-title":"Treatment using 448 kHz capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency improves pain and function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joint: A randomised controlled trial","volume":"105","author":"Kumaran","year":"2019","journal-title":"Physiotheraphy"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"433","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nrl.2018.03.003","article-title":"Effectiveness of monopolar dielectric transmission of pulsed electromagnetic fields for multiple sclerosis-related pain: A pilot study","volume":"36","author":"Hochsprung","year":"2021","journal-title":"Neurologia"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ib\u00e1\u00f1ez-Vera, A.J., Garc\u00eda-Romero, J.C., Alvero-Cruz, J.R., and Lomas-vega, R. (2020). Effects of Monopolar Dielectric Radiofrequency Signals on the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph17072465"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Garc\u00eda-Mar\u00edn, M., Rodr\u00edguez-Almagro, D., Castellote-Caballero, Y., Achalandabaso-Ochoa, A., Lomas-Vega, R., and Ib\u00e1\u00f1ez-Vera, A.J. (2021). Efficacy of Non-Invasive Radiofrequency-Based Diathermy in the Postoperative Phase of Knee Arthroplasty: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. J. Clin. Med., 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm10081611"},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1111\/jocd.12524","article-title":"Review and clinical experience exploring evidence, clinical efficacy, and safety regarding nonsurgical treatment of feminine rejuvenation","volume":"17","author":"Gold","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Cosmet. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1002\/lsm.20731","article-title":"Bipolar fractional radiofrequency treatment induces neoelastogenesis and neocollagenesis","volume":"41","author":"Hantash","year":"2009","journal-title":"Lasers Surg. Med."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105906","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijsu.2021.105906","article-title":"The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews","volume":"88","author":"Page","year":"2021","journal-title":"Int. J. Surg."},{"key":"ref_17","unstructured":"Higgins, J., and Green, S. (2011). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, The Cochrane Collaboration."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"43","DOI":"10.1016\/S0004-9514(14)60281-6","article-title":"Evidence for physiotherapy practice: A survey of the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro)","volume":"48","author":"Moseley","year":"2002","journal-title":"Aust. J. Physiother."},{"key":"ref_19","unstructured":"Wells, G., Shea, B., and O\u2019Connel, D. (2021, November 19). The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for Assessing the Quailty of Nonrandomised Studies in Meta-Analysis. Available online: http:\/\/www.ohri.ca\/programs\/clinical_epidemiology\/oxford.asp."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bretelle, F., Fabre, C., Golka, M., Pauly, V., Roth, B., Bechadergue, V., and Blanc, J. (2020). Capacitive\u2013resistive radiofrequency therapy to treat postpartum perineal pain: A randomized study. PLoS ONE, 15.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0231869"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"215","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jsxm.2016.11.322","article-title":"Effect of Single-Treatment, Surface-Cooled Radiofrequency Therapy on Vaginal Laxity and Female Sexual Function: The VIVEVE I Randomized Controlled Trial","volume":"14","author":"Krychman","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Sex. Med."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"705","DOI":"10.1097\/DSS.0000000000001453","article-title":"Histologic and Clinical Changes in Vulvovaginal Tissue After Treatment With a Transcutaneous Temperature-Controlled Radiofrequency Device","volume":"44","author":"Bolton","year":"2018","journal-title":"Dermatol. Surg."},{"key":"ref_23","first-page":"145","article-title":"Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Radiofrequency Device for Vaginal Treatment","volume":"32","author":"Caruth","year":"2018","journal-title":"Surg. Technol. Int."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"896","DOI":"10.1590\/s1677-5538.ibju.2016.0621","article-title":"New concept for treating female stress urinary incontinence with radiofrequency","volume":"43","author":"Lordelo","year":"2017","journal-title":"Int. Braz. J. Urol."},{"key":"ref_25","first-page":"225","article-title":"Technological evolution in the radiofrequency treatment of vaginal laxity and menopausal vulvo-vaginal atrophy and other genitourinary symptoms: First experiences with a novel dynamic quadripolar device","volume":"68","author":"Vicariotto","year":"2016","journal-title":"Minerva Ginecol."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"641","DOI":"10.1002\/lsm.22537","article-title":"Transcutaneous temperature controlled radiofrequency for orgasmic dysfunction","volume":"48","author":"Alinsod","year":"2016","journal-title":"Lasers Surg. Med."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.1159\/000467396","article-title":"Does Transfer Capacitive Resistive Energy Has a Therapeutic Effect on Peyronie\u2019s Disease? Randomized, Single-Blind, Sham-Controlled Study on 96 Patients: Fast Pain Relief","volume":"99","author":"Pavone","year":"2017","journal-title":"Urol. Int."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1681","DOI":"10.1007\/s00192-016-3020-x","article-title":"Radiofrequency in female external genital cosmetics and sexual function: A randomized clinical trial","volume":"27","author":"Leal","year":"2016","journal-title":"Int. Urogynecol. J."},{"key":"ref_29","first-page":"149","article-title":"Trascutaneous Temperature Controlled Radiofrequency (TTCRF) for the Treatment of Menopausal Vaginal\/Genitourinary Symptoms","volume":"26","author":"Leibaschoff","year":"2016","journal-title":"Surg. Technol. Int."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101517","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ctcp.2021.101517","article-title":"Effectiveness of intracavitary monopolar dielectric radiofrequency in women with endometriosis-associated pain: A case series","volume":"46","year":"2022","journal-title":"Complement. Ther. Clin. Pract."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.34172\/jlms.2021.56","article-title":"Intravaginal Pulsed Contractile Radiofrequency for Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment; A Safety Study","volume":"12","author":"Razzaghi","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Lasers Med. Sci."},{"key":"ref_32","first-page":"154","article-title":"Effectiveness of multimodal rehabilitation (biofeedback plus capacitive\u2013resistive radiofrequency) on chronic pelvic pain and dyspareunia: Prospective study and literature review","volume":"54","author":"Kazlauskas","year":"2020","journal-title":"Rehabilitacion"},{"key":"ref_33","first-page":"1","article-title":"Role of Radiofrequency (Votiva, InMode) in Pelvic Floor Restoration","volume":"7","author":"Dayan","year":"2019","journal-title":"Plast. Reconstr. Surg. Glob. Open"},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1865","DOI":"10.1007\/s10103-019-02784-7","article-title":"New concept for treating urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy with radiofrequency: Phase 1 clinical trial","volume":"34","author":"Brasil","year":"2019","journal-title":"Lasers Med. Sci."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"154","DOI":"10.1016\/j.rh.2020.02.005","article-title":"Efectividad de la rehabilitaci\u00f3n multimodal (biofeedback m\u00e1s radiofrecuencia capacitiva-resistiva) sobre el dolor p\u00e9lvico cr\u00f3nico y la dispareunia: Estudio prospectivo y revisi\u00f3n de la bibliograf\u00eda","volume":"54","author":"Kazlauskas","year":"2020","journal-title":"Rehabilitaci\u00f3n"},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"25","DOI":"10.1067\/mob.2001.116369","article-title":"The Incontinence Impact Questionnaire and the Urogenital Distress Inventory: A revisit of their validity in women without a urodynamic diagnosis","volume":"185","author":"Harvey","year":"2001","journal-title":"Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1076","DOI":"10.1016\/j.urology.2004.01.005","article-title":"International consultation on incontinence questionnaire short form: Comparison of physician versus patient completion and immediate and delayed self-administration","volume":"63","author":"Hajebrahimi","year":"2004","journal-title":"Urology"},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"191","DOI":"10.1080\/009262300278597","article-title":"The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): A Multidimensional Self-Report Instrument for the Assessment of Female Sexual Function D\u2019Agostino (2000) The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): A Multidimensional Self-Report Instrument for the Assessment of Female Sexual Function","volume":"26","author":"Rosen","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Sex Marital Ther."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1063","DOI":"10.1016\/S0022-5347(05)00348-4","article-title":"The international consultation on incontinence modular questionnaire: www.iciq.net","volume":"175","author":"Abrams","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Urol."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"507","DOI":"10.1002\/nau.22436","article-title":"Pad Weight Testing in the Evaluation of Urinary Incontinence","volume":"33","author":"Krhut","year":"2014","journal-title":"Neurourol. Urodyn."},{"key":"ref_41","first-page":"1","article-title":"Thermal and non-thermal effects of capacitive\u2013resistive electric transfer application on different structures of the knee: A cadaveric study","volume":"10","author":"Simon","year":"2020","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"320","DOI":"10.3109\/02656736.2010.534527","article-title":"Thresholds for thermal damage to normal tissues: An update","volume":"27","author":"Yarmolenko","year":"2011","journal-title":"Int. J. Hyperth."},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1727","DOI":"10.1007\/s10103-017-2238-2","article-title":"Radiofrequency treatment induces fibroblast growth factor 2 expression and subsequently promotes neocollagenesis and neoangiogenesis in the skin tissue","volume":"32","author":"Meyer","year":"2017","journal-title":"Lasers Med. Sci."},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"422","DOI":"10.1080\/14764172.2017.1342041","article-title":"Efficacy of monopolar dielectric transmission radio frequency in panniculus adiposus and cellulite reduction Efficacy of monopolar dielectric transmission radio frequency in panniculus adiposus and cellulite reduction","volume":"19","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Cosmet. Laser Ther."}],"container-title":["Medicina"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1648-9144\/58\/3\/437\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T22:38:05Z","timestamp":1760135885000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1648-9144\/58\/3\/437"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2022,3,17]]},"references-count":44,"journal-issue":{"issue":"3","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2022,3]]}},"alternative-id":["medicina58030437"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/medicina58030437","relation":{},"ISSN":["1648-9144"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1648-9144","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2022,3,17]]}}}