Tele-Pilates for Primary Dysmenorrhea

Atlas University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Primary Dysmenorrhea

Treatments: Behavioral: standardized menstrual health education online; Other: Tele-Pilates Exercise program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07335926

hilalbuse1

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized controlled trial investigates the effectiveness of a synchronized tele-Pilates program on menstrual pain, symptom severity, physical disability, and trunk muscle endurance in women with primary dysmenorrhea (PD). The intervention includes 16 supervised online Pilates sessions delivered over eight weeks.

Full description

Primary dysmenorrhea is a prevalent gynecological condition characterized by painful menstruation. Exercise, particularly core stabilization and mind-body methods like Pilates, may improve both physical and psychological symptoms associated with PD. In this single-center RCT, 34 women aged 18-35 with PD were randomized to either a Tele-Pilates group or a control group. The Pilates group received supervised online sessions twice weekly for 8 weeks. Outcomes included pain severity (VAS), symptom burden (MSQ), functional impairment (FEMD), disability (Oswestry LBP Index), and trunk muscle endurance (McGill tests). Findings demonstrated significant improvements in the Pilates group across all domains.

Enrollment: 34 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 35 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Women aged 18-35 years
• Regular menstrual cycles (28±7 days)
• VAS ≥5 for menstrual pain
• Diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea

Exclusion criteria

• Secondary dysmenorrhea (e.g., endometriosis, fibroids)
• Pregnancy or use of intrauterine devices
• Significant comorbidities (e.g., spondylolisthesis)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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34 participants in 2 patient groups

Tele-Pilates Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants received 16 synchronous tele-Pilates sessions over 8 weeks (twice per week). Exercises followed the APPI method including stretching, core strengthening, pelvic floor training, and breathing-focused control.

Treatment:

Other: Tele-Pilates Exercise program

Behavioral: standardized menstrual health education online

Control Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants received standardized menstrual health education online but no exercise intervention.

Treatment:

Behavioral: standardized menstrual health education online