The efficacy of pain neuroscience education on musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review of the literature.
Adriaan Louw, Kory Zimney, Emilio J Puentedura...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27351541Actively Recruiting
Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years - 25Years
FEMALE
ID07196150
Comparison of Exercise, Motor Imagery Training, and Pain Neuroscience Education on Pain and Menstrual Symptoms in Women With Primary Dysmenorrhea
Led by Muge Dereli · Updated on 2025-09-29
51
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
13 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying young women with primary dysmenorrhea, a condition causing menstrual pain without underlying disease. The trial aims to find out whether adding motor imagery training or pain neuroscience education to an exercise program can better reduce menstrual pain and symptoms, and improve movement control and thinking flexibility. The study compares three groups: exercise only, exercise plus motor imagery, and exercise plus pain neuroscience education. Participants will join an 8-week supervised exercise program twice a week, focusing on lumbopelvic stabilization, stretching, and endurance. The motor imagery group will practice visualizing the exercises before performing them, while the pain neuroscience education group will attend weekly face-to-face sessions about pain, supported by home assignments. The exercise-only group will complete just the exercise program. Before and after the 8-week program, participants will complete tests and questionnaires measuring pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, menstrual symptoms, motor control, cognitive flexibility, and pain-related knowledge and resilience. Assessments occur during the first three days of menstruation. A follow-up online survey one month later will check lasting effects. The study is randomized and aims to provide new evidence on managing menstrual pain safely without medications.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Exercise, Motor Imagery, and Pain Neuroscience Education for Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Trial
Who Can Participate
Age: 18Years - 25Years
FEMALE
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 every 21 to 35 days
- Nulliparous (no pregnancy or childbirth history)
- No systemic, metabolic, rheumatologic, or lumbar pathology
- Willing to participate in 8-week program and 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 therapies including oral contraceptives or intrauterine devices
- Known neurological, psychiatric, or systemic musculoskeletal disorders
- Cognitive impairment or attention deficit affecting participation
- Participation in regular exercise within the last 6 months
- Use of alternative therapies for dysmenorrhea such as acupuncture or massage
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Outpatient Treatment
Duration - 8 weeks
Participants complete an 8-week supervised exercise program with two sessions per week. Depending on their group, they also practice motor imagery or attend weekly pain neuroscience education sessions with home assignments.
Two sessions per week plus weekly education sessions for the PNE group
Follow-up
Duration - 1 month
Participants complete online assessments one month after the intervention to evaluate the persistence of effects.
Online follow-up assessments
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Aydın Adnan Menderes University
Aydin, Efeler, Turkey (Türkiye)
Actively Recruiting
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Research Team
M
Muge Dereli PhD Candidate in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, MSc
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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Published Research Related To This Trial
Pain catastrophizing, but not mental health or social support, is associated with menstrual pain severity in women with dysmenorrhea: A cross-sectional survey.
Subhadra Evans, Charlotte Dowding, Lisa Olive...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34190659Effects of motor imagery and action observation on pelvic floor and related structures in healthy women: A randomized controlled trial.
Ferran Cuenca-Martínez, Alba Nieves-Gómez, Natalia Millán-Isasi...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39626586A pilot longitudinal study of decrease in cognitive functions during the most painful day of the period among women with primary dysmenorrhea.
Julia Kluska, Ewa Malinowska, Joachim Kowalski
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38963585Therapeutic Exercise in the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Paloma Carroquino-Garcia, José Jesús Jiménez-Rejano, Esther Medrano-Sanchez...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31665789