Actively Recruiting
Virtual Auricular Acupressure and Baduanjin Qigong Exercise for Preventing Menstrual Pain in Females: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Led by Nanyang Technological University · Updated on 2026-05-20
145
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
12 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
N
Nanyang Technological University
Lead Sponsor
C
Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying young females with primary dysmenorrhea, a common condition causing painful menstrual cramps. The trial compares two self-care approaches—auricular acupressure and Baduanjin qigong exercise—to a self-care education group. The goal is to see if these methods can reduce menstrual pain severity and improve related symptoms like tiredness, poor sleep, anxiety, low mood, trouble concentrating, and decreased physical function. The study also investigates biological markers in stool and blood to understand links between gut bacteria, body metabolism, and symptom changes. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: virtual auricular acupressure, virtual Baduanjin qigong exercise, or a self-education control group focused on menstrual hygiene. Each intervention includes six virtual group training sessions followed by twelve weekly self-administered sessions over 12 weeks. The auricular acupressure and qigong groups receive guided training from acupuncturists or instructors online. The self-education group receives virtual training and self-led sessions on menstrual hygiene. During the study, researchers will monitor participants at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12 using pain, fatigue, sleep quality, anxiety, depression, mood, and physical function assessments. Participants will also keep pain diaries and report pain medication use. Weekly safety checks will monitor any side effects. The study will last about 12 weeks, with ongoing data collection to assess both symptom changes and biological markers. A total of 145 females aged 16 to 35 will participate, and all procedures involve virtual methods for training and self-care.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Virtual Menstrual Pain Approaches in Females
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Female aged between 16 and 35 years
- Regular menstrual cycles (28 days ± 7 days) for at least 3 months before enrollment
- Confirmed diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea by a study clinician or primary care doctor
- Experienced two or more episodes of menstrual cramps in the past 2 months with a pain score of at least 4 on the Brief Pain Inventory
- Willingness and ability to comply with all study procedures and be available for the study duration
- Ability to download, install, and use the study's digital content for training, self-intervention, and data entry
- Ability to understand the study and provide informed consent
- Submission of a medical certificate confirming primary dysmenorrhea diagnosis
You will not qualify if you...
- Uncontrolled neurological diseases, immunodeficiency, bleeding disorders, or allergies
- Presence of another Axis I mental disorder not in remission
- Currently pregnant, lactating, or planning to become pregnant within 6 months
- Participation in other pain management trials during this study
- Planning to start other menstrual pain therapies in the next 3 months
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (virtual or in-person)
Duration - 12 weeks
Participants receive 18 sessions of behavioral interventions over 12 weeks, including virtual group training and self-administered weekly sessions depending on their assigned group.
6 virtual group training sessions and 12 weekly self-administered sessions
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
iHealth Lab, Nanyang Technological University
Singapore, Singapore, 637550
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Mingxiao Yang, MD (CMD), PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
3
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