Pelvic Floor Therapy plus Exercise for Endometriosis-Related Pelvic Pain
Official title: Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy and Physical Exercise Versus Placebo for the Treatment of Endometriosis With Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre · NCT07733583 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This 12-week study tests whether specialized pelvic floor physical therapy plus a structured exercise program helps reduce chronic pelvic pain in women with endometriosis more than a placebo version of pelvic floor therapy plus the same exercise plan.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 64 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 5, 2026 |
| Main results expected | September 14, 2027 |
| Study ends | September 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | July 29, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07733583 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Women aged 18-45 with surgically or imaging-confirmed endometriosis and at least 6 months of chronic pelvic pain and VAS ≥4.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals with recent pelvic surgery, ongoing pregnancy, or conditions contraindicating pelvic floor therapy 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 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial compares a specialized pelvic floor physical therapy approach plus a progressive exercise program to a placebo pelvic floor protocol plus the same exercise program in women with confirmed endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain. Participants are followed for 12 weeks with assessments at baseline, week 8, and week 12 to measure pain intensity and secondary outcomes like neuropathic symptoms, central sensitization, quality of life, and sexual function. The study aims to determine if adding targeted pelvic floor therapy to exercise provides additional pain relief beyond placebo effects. Sixty-four participants will be enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio. Both groups receive the same exercise regimen, preserving blinding for participants and investigators regarding the pelvic floor component.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the trial could support a non-pharmacologic approach to reduce chronic pelvic pain and improve quality of life for women with endometriosis.
How similar studies have gone: Prior limited trials suggest pelvic floor therapy and exercise may help, but high-quality randomized evidence for their combined effect is limited and this study adds rigorous placebo-controlled data.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Female, aged 18 to 45 years. * Diagnosis of endometriosis confirmed by surgery and/or imaging examinations. * Chronic pelvic pain for at least 6 months. * Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score ≥4 for chronic pelvic pain. * Willingness and ability to provide written informed consent and comply with all study procedures. Exclusion Criteria: * Current pregnancy or planned pregnancy during the study period. * Pelvic surgery within the previous 3 months. * Neuromodulation treatment within the previous 3 months. * Medical or musculoskeletal conditions that contraindicate participation in pelvic floor physical therapy or the exercise program.
Where it's running
-
Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre
Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Priscila Peixoto da Fonseca, PT, MSc Candidate
- Email: ppfonseca@hcpa.edu.br
- Phone: +5551984629624
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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.