Somatocognitive Therapy in Treatment of Provoked Vestibulodynia - a Feasibility Study

Somatocognitive physiotherapy (SCT) is a multimodal physical therapy approach that has been developed in an attempt at alleviating the burden of longstanding pain. The main foci of SCT include: (1) bodily exercises and techniques increasing body awareness, ability to relax and control muscle tension in different situations; (2) education about the vulvodynia and factors influencing pain experience; (3) coping with emotions and thoughts related to bodily experiences; and (4) structured homework assignments promoting application of the learned techniques in daily situation and gradual exposure to activities associated with pain. An important goal of SCT is to facilitate integration of new bodily habits into the patient's daily activities. The most important learning process thus occurs in the space between the treatment sessions. The therapeutic techniques are to be rehearsed in everyday situations.