PHOTOBIOMODULATION ON PERINEAL PAIN AND HEALING PROCESS FOLLOWING EPISIOTOMY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW PROTOCOL

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18310/5r02v272

Keywords:

Episiotomy, Pain, Photobiomodulation, Rehabilitation

Abstract

Introduction: Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a widely used modality in clinical practice during puerperium. Nevertheless, no systematic reviews have examined the impact of this intervention on perineal pain and healing outcomes in women after episiotomy. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of PBM on perineal pain intensity and the healing process in women during the immediate postpartum period. 

Method: Will be conducted a systematic review with a view to performing, if feasible, a meta-analysis. An electronic search of six databases will be conducted (PubMed, PEDro, SciELO, LILACS, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE), followed by a manual search. Studies will be evaluated according to the Population, Intervention, Comparison and Study design (PICOS model), including women in the immediate postpartum, treated with PBM or other conservative treatments to evaluate their effects on perineal pain intensity and the perineal healing process based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 for RCTs, and the quality of evidence will be investigated using the GRADE approach. The meta-analysis will be performed using Review Manager 5.4 software.

Results: This study presents a methodological protocol for a systematic review of RCTs, followed by a meta-analysis. The aim will be to analyze the effects of PBM on perineal pain intensity and the healing process in women during the immediate postpartum period using validated instruments. 

Conclusion: The results will facilitate the acquisition of scientific evidence regarding the intervention, thereby facilitating conservative treatment decision-making.

Author Biographies

  • Anna Karoline Lopes Rocha, Universidade Estadual de Campinas

    Mscie. Physical Therapist, Exercise scientist. Postgraduate Program in Surgical Science, School of Medical Sciences of the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.

  • Thais Castro, Universidade Federal de Alfenas

    Physical Therapist, Exercise scientist. Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Motor Science Institute of the Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

  • Ingrid Campos, Universidade Federal de Alfenas

    Physical Therapist, Exercise scientist. Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Motor Science Institute of the Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

  • Maria Palharini Volpato, Universidade Estadual de Campinas

    Mscie. Physical Therapist, Exercise scientist. Postgraduate Program in Surgical Science, School of Medical Sciences of the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.

  • Luísa Pasqualotto, Universidade Estadual de Campinas

    Mscie. Physical Therapist, Exercise scientist. Postgraduate Program in Surgical Science, School of Medical Sciences of the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.

  • Dr. Silvia Elizate Monteiro, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais

    Professor. Doctor, Exercise scientist. Physiotherapy Department of the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (PUC-MG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

  • Cássio Riccetto, Universidade Estadual de Campinas

    Professor, PhD. Doctor, Exercise scientist. Postgraduate Program in Surgical Science, School of Medical Sciences of the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.

  • Simone Botelho, Universidade Federal de Alfenas

    Professor, PhD. Physical Therapist, Exercise scientist. Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Motor Science Institute of the Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

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Published

2026-08-25

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 23 (2026)

Section

Revisão de Literatura

License

  1. Autores mantém os direitos autorais e concedem à revista o direito de primeira publicação, com o trabalho simultaneamente licenciado sob aLicença Creative Commons Attribution que permite o compartilhamento do trabalho com reconhecimento da autoria e publicação inicial nesta revista.