Comparison of Different Physiotherapy Techniques in Dysmenorrhea

Medipol University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Dysmenorrhea Primary

Treatments: Other: Myofascial Release Therapy (MRT) Group; Other: Kinesiotape (KT) Group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07022106

E-10840098-202.3.02-582

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study is investigating the effects of myofascial release technique & kinesiotape in managing dysmenorrhea

Full description

Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological disorder characterized by painful menstruation manifested by severe cramps in the lower abdomen. Recent epidemiological studies indicate a global prevalence of 50-90% among women (10-20% with severe symptoms); in Türkiye, studies show a prevalence of 75-85%.Dysmenorrhea is divided into two types: primary dysmenorrhea (PD) and secondary dysmenorrhea. PD is painful menstruation without any underlying pathological condition. The main goal of dysmenorrhea treatment is to significantly improve the patient's well-being and quality of life (QoL) by effectively relieving pain and relieving symptoms by targeting physiological mechanisms. There are various physiotherapy methods that can be used to reduce this pain, such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), cryotherapy, myofascial release therapy (MRT), and kinesiology taping (KT).

This single-blind randomized controlled trial will investigate the acute therapeutic effects of Myofascial Release Technique (MRT) versus Kinesio Taping (KT) in 46 females aged 18-30 years with PD. Participants will be randomised into Group 1 (MRT; n = 23) or Group 2 (KT; n = 23), receiving a single intervention session during their most painful menstrual day

All participants will be asked to fill out 3 forms, namely a sociodemographic questionnaire covering age, height, BMI, age at menarche and duration of menstruation, a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to assess pain level and a Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement System (PROMIS-29 Profile v2.0) to measure quality of life (QoL) at 3 time points (pre-intervention, 8 hours after intervention ,and 3-5 weeks post intervention (at the first menstrual cycle after intervention).

Statistical analyses will be conducted by using SPSS 27.0 (IBM Corp.), with a priori power analysis confirming 95% power (α = 0.05; G*Power v3.1.9.7). Data normality will be verified via the Shapiro-Wilk test. Independent Samples t-tests will compare interventional effects between groups, while one-way ANOVA (with LSD post-hoc tests) will analyze multi-point QoL changes. Paired Samples t-tests will evaluate within-group temporal changes (pre vs. post-intervention).

Enrollment: 46 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 30 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea,
• Moderate-to-severe pain during menstrual days 1-3,
• Regular menstrual cycles for past 6 months

Exclusion criteria

• Secondary gynaecological conditions,
• Current use of pain medications,
• History of pregnancy

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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46 participants in 2 patient groups

Kinesiotape (KT) Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this arm will receive Kinesio Taping applied to the lower abdomen and lumbar region using a 3-Tape Sensory Modulation Technique to modulate pain and fascial tension.

Treatment:

Other: Kinesiotape (KT) Group

Myofascial Release Therapy (MRT) Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this arm will receive a single session of myofascial release technique (MRT) which is a type of massage that will target anterolateral abdominal wall, including Camper and Scarpa fascia, as well as the deeper layers, including transversals fascia and the thoracolumbar fascia to release the fascial restrictions.

Treatment:

Other: Myofascial Release Therapy (MRT) Group