Pelvic nerve mobilization for menstrual pain
Efficacy of Pelvic Nerve Mobilization in Reducing Symptoms of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study will test whether external pelvic nerve mobilization can reduce menstrual pain and related symptoms in university women aged 18–30 with primary dysmenorrhea.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 30 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | University of Hail Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Sialkot) |
| Trial ID | NCT07354451 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Primary dysmenorrhea causes painful periods in the absence of identifiable pelvic disease and often leads to reduced quality of life and missed academic time. This single-blind, parallel-group randomized trial will randomly assign eligible women to receive either external pelvic nerve mobilization or a sham manual therapy across three consecutive menstrual cycles. The intervention is an entirely external, non-invasive physiotherapy technique intended to restore pelvic and lumbosacral nerve mobility and reduce neural sensitivity. Outcomes include pain intensity, menstrual distress, quality of life, pelvic tenderness, analgesic use, and academic absenteeism.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are female university students aged 18–30 with regular cycles, a clinical diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea, and average menstrual pain of 5 or greater on a visual analog scale.
Not a fit: Women with secondary causes of pelvic pain (for example endometriosis, fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease), prior pelvic or spinal surgery, neurological disorders, current pregnancy or lactation, or ongoing manual therapy are unlikely to benefit or are excluded from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this non-drug, non-invasive therapy could lower menstrual pain and improve daily functioning and attendance for young women with primary dysmenorrhea.
How similar studies have performed: There is some preliminary physiotherapy and neurodynamic evidence suggesting benefit for pelvic pain syndromes, but high-quality randomized trials specifically using external pelvic nerve mobilization for primary dysmenorrhea are limited, so the approach is relatively novel in this condition.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Female university students aged 18-30 years * Regular menstrual cycles (24-35 days) * Clinically diagnosed primary dysmenorrhea * Average menstrual pain intensity ≥ 5 on Visual Analog Scale * Willingness to participate and provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Secondary dysmenorrhea (e.g., endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease) * History of pelvic or spinal surgery * Neurological disorders * Current pregnancy or lactation * Current physiotherapy or manual therapy treatment * Contraindications to manual therapy
Where this trial is running
Sialkot
- International Institute of Science Arts and Technology — Sialkot, Pakistan (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: raheela kanwal sheikh, phd
- Email: r.sheikh@uoh.edu.sa
- Phone: +966564194172
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.