Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment for Dysmenorrhea Symptoms
Official title: Assessing the Impact of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment on Dysmenorrhea
Run by Western University of Health Sciences · NCT07849140 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This pilot study tests whether a targeted OMT session before the next period can reduce pain and other dysmenorrhea symptoms in female university community members.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 20 Years to 51 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Western University of Health Sciences Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Pomona, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 30, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 30, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07849140 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are female-WUHS students, faculty, or staff (ages roughly 20–50) who experience dysmenorrhea and are not pregnant or breastfeeding, not on birth control changes during the study, and not currently receiving other therapies.
✕Probably not a fit
Participants with secondary causes of dysmenorrhea (e.g., endometriosis, PCOS) or those whose symptoms are not influenced by OMT may not experience benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This prospective, within-subject pilot study follows participants through a control cycle without OMT and a subsequent cycle with an OMT session 3-7 days before menses. Participants complete surveys on pain, duration, and symptom types at baseline, during the control phase, after the intervention, and after the post-intervention assessment. The design aims to isolate the effect of a standardized OMT intervention on menstrual symptoms by comparing pre- and post-intervention data within the same individuals. Eligible participants are female students, faculty, or staff at Western University of Health Sciences who experience dysmenorrhea and meet the exclusion criteria to minimize confounding factors. The lead sponsor is Western University of Health Sciences, with the study conducted at the Pomona, California campus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience reduced pain and milder symptoms during their menstrual cycles.
How similar studies have gone: Previous nonrandomized work has explored manual therapies for menstrual symptoms, but robust evidence for OMT’s effectiveness in dysmenorrhea remains limited; this pilot adds within-subject data.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Female Western University of Health Sciences students, faculty, or staff who experience dysmenorrhea symptoms. Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding. * Individuals under the age of 20 and over the age of 51. * Individuals with a history of endometriosis or PCOS. * Individuals with a history of thyroid conditions. * Individuals who change or plan ot change birth control during the course of the study. * Individuals receiving outside OMT or physical therapy treatment.
Where it's running
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Western University of Health Sciences
Pomona, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: David Redding, DO — Western University of Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: David Redding, DO
- Email: dredding@westernu.edu
- Phone: 909-469-5281
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.