Vibration-Assisted Core Exercises for Primary Dysmenorrhea

Ebru Aloğlu Çiftçi

Status: Completed

Conditions: Dysmenorrhea Primary

Treatments: Behavioral: Core exercises performed simultaneously on a whole body vibration platform

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07080580

EAloglu02

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to evaluate the effects of core stabilization exercises performed on a vibration platform in young women with primary dysmenorrhea. The exercises are designed to help reduce menstrual symptoms and pain, and to improve attitudes toward menstruation, functional and emotional well-being, and quality of life. A total of 24 women participated in the study. Participants were assigned either to a group receiving vibration-assisted core exercises or to a control group receiving no intervention. The intervention lasted 8 weeks, with sessions held three times per week.

Full description

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a common gynecological condition characterized by uterine-origin lower abdominal pain during or before menstruation in the absence of any pelvic pathology. This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of a core exercise (CE) program performed on a vibration-supported platform on pain intensity, menstrual attitudes, quality of life, and functional and emotional status in women with PD. A total of 24 women aged 18 to 35 years participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n=12) or a control group (n=12). The intervention group performed vibration-assisted CE on a portable platform three times per week for eight weeks. The control group received no intervention. All participants were evaluated within the first 48 hours of the menstrual cycle, with follow-up assessments at weeks 4, and a final evaluation at the end of week 8.

Enrollment: 24 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 35 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Being in the 18-28 age group.
2. Being diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea on an ultrasound examination.
3. Having a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 19-24.9.
4. Describing pain intensity as 5 or higher on the VAS pain scale.
5. Having regular menstrual cycles (every 21-35 days and no intermenstrual bleeding) for the past 6 months.
6. Being willing to participate in the study.
7. Being cooperative and oriented.
8. Not having had any fractures, dislocations, or joint injuries in the past 6 months.
9. Not having had any surgery in the past 6 months.

Exclusion criteria

1. Having a systemic or chronic disease,
2. Being a professional athlete,
3. Having secondary dysmenorrhea,
4. Using oral contraceptives,
5. Being pregnant,
6. Having an orthopedic, neurological, rheumatological, or cardiovascular problem that prevents exercise,
7. Having any balance problems (vertigo, etc.) that prevent exercise.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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24 participants in 2 patient groups

Whole Body Vibration

Experimental group

Description:

The vibration group performed core exercises with vibration at 8 mm amplitude and 14 Hz frequency, 3 days a week for 8 weeks (24 sessions). Each session lasted 45-60 minutes, including a 10-minute warm-up (walking) and a 5-minute cool-down (stretching). Vibration time started at 15 minutes and increased to 30 minutes. Eight core exercises (bridge exercise, plank, cat-camel exercise, crunches, side-bends, heel drops, squats, half push-ups) were applied, with repetitions increased every 2 weeks: 8 reps in weeks 1-2, 10 reps in weeks 3-4, 12 reps in weeks 5-6, and 15 reps in weeks 7-8. A 30-second rest was given between exercises.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Core exercises performed simultaneously on a whole body vibration platform

Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

No intervention was applied to the control group.