Actively Recruiting
Exercise, Motor Imagery, and Pain Neuroscience Education for Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Trial
Led by Muge Dereli · Updated on 2025-09-29
51
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
79 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The goal of this clinical trial is to find out whether exercise, motor imagery training, and pain neuroscience education can help reduce menstrual pain and improve well-being in young women with primary dysmenorrhea. The study will also look at how these approaches affect menstrual symptoms, movement control, and cognitive flexibility. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does adding motor imagery or pain neuroscience education to an exercise program reduce pain and menstrual symptoms more than exercise alone? * Do these approaches improve movement control, thinking flexibility, and knowledge about pain? Researchers will compare three groups: * Exercise only * Exercise plus motor imagery training * Exercise plus pain neuroscience education Participants will: * Attend supervised exercise sessions twice a week for 8 weeks * Practice either motor imagery or receive short pain neuroscience education, depending on their group * Complete questionnaires and tests before and after the program, during the first three days of menstruation
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Exercise, Motor Imagery, and Pain Neuroscience Education for Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Trial
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Female aged 18 to 25 years
- Confirmed absence of pelvic pathology by gynecological exam and ultrasound
- History of primary dysmenorrhea for at least 6 months with pain intensity of 4 or higher during first 3 days of menstruation
- Regular menstrual cycles between 21 and 35 days
- Nulliparous with no history of pregnancy or childbirth
- No systemic, metabolic, rheumatologic, or lumbar pathology
- Willing to participate in an 8-week intervention and attend follow-up assessments
You will not qualify if you...
- Diagnosis of secondary dysmenorrhea such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids, or ovarian cysts
- Current pregnancy or planning pregnancy during the study
- History of pelvic or abdominal surgery
- History of sexually transmitted diseases
- Current use of antidepressants, anxiolytics, or hormonal therapy including oral contraceptives and intrauterine devices
- Known neurological, psychiatric, or systemic musculoskeletal disorders
- Cognitive impairment or attention deficit affecting participation
- Participation in regular exercise in the last 6 months
- Use of alternative therapies for dysmenorrhea such as acupuncture or massage
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Aydın Adnan Menderes University
Aydin, Efeler, Turkey (Türkiye)
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Muge Dereli PhD Candidate in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, MSc
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
3
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