OBJECTIVES: To determine if a standardised method of leg positioning without stirrups reduces the physical discomfort and sense of vulnerability and increases the sense of control among women undergoing speculum examination as part of a routine gynaecological examination. DESIGN: Randomised clinical trial. SETTING:Family medicine outpatient clinic. PATIENTS: 197 adult women undergoing routine gynaecological examination and cervical smear. INTERVENTION: Examination with or without stirrups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Women's perceived levels of physical discomfort, sense of vulnerability, and sense of control during the examination, measured on 100 mm visual analogue scales. RESULTS: Women undergoing examination without stirrups had a reduction in mean sense of vulnerability from 23.6 to 13.1 (95% confidence interval of the difference - 16.6 to - 4.4). Mean physical discomfort was reduced from 30.4 to 17.2 (- 19.7 to - 6.8). There was no significant reduction in sense of loss of control. CONCLUSION: Women should be able to have gynaecological examinations without using stirrups to reduce the stress associated with speculum examinations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: US Army Central Investigation Regulatory Office. Trial No DDEAMC 05-11.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: To determine if a standardised method of leg positioning without stirrups reduces the physical discomfort and sense of vulnerability and increases the sense of control among women undergoing speculum examination as part of a routine gynaecological examination. DESIGN: Randomised clinical trial. SETTING: Family medicine outpatient clinic. PATIENTS: 197 adult women undergoing routine gynaecological examination and cervical smear. INTERVENTION: Examination with or without stirrups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Women's perceived levels of physical discomfort, sense of vulnerability, and sense of control during the examination, measured on 100 mm visual analogue scales. RESULTS:Women undergoing examination without stirrups had a reduction in mean sense of vulnerability from 23.6 to 13.1 (95% confidence interval of the difference - 16.6 to - 4.4). Mean physical discomfort was reduced from 30.4 to 17.2 (- 19.7 to - 6.8). There was no significant reduction in sense of loss of control. CONCLUSION:Women should be able to have gynaecological examinations without using stirrups to reduce the stress associated with speculum examinations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: US Army Central Investigation Regulatory Office. Trial No DDEAMC 05-11.
Authors: J W Sellors; A T Lorincz; J B Mahony; I Mielzynska; A Lytwyn; P Roth; M Howard; S Chong; D Daya; W Chapman; M Chernesky Journal: CMAJ Date: 2000-09-05 Impact factor: 8.262
Authors: Mercy Nyamewaa Asiedu; Júlia Agudogo; Marlee S Krieger; Robert Miros; Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell; John W Schmitt; Nimmi Ramanujam Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-05-31 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Mercy N Asiedu; Júlia S Agudogo; Mary E Dotson; Erica Skerrett; Marlee S Krieger; Christopher T Lam; Doris Agyei; Juliet Amewu; Kwaku Asah-Opoku; Megan Huchko; John W Schmitt; Ali Samba; Emmanuel Srofenyoh; Nirmala Ramanujam Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2020-10-06 Impact factor: 4.379