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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07831421

Effects of Interferential Current and Kinesio Taping Added to Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises in Women With Primary Dysmenorrhea

Primary dysmenorrhea can adversely affect pain, sleep, and health-related quality of life in young women. This study will investigate and compare the effects of interferential current (IFC) and Kinesio taping (KT) added to pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) in women with primary dysmenorrhea. The study will be designed as a three-arm randomized controlled trial. A total of 60 women aged 18-30 years will be recruited and randomly allocated to one of three groups: PFME+IFC, PFME+IFC+KT, or PFME alone. Pain will be assessed using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire and a pain body diagram, sleep quality will be evaluated using the subjective sleep quality component of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and health-related quality of life will be assessed using the SF-36.

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Key information

Conditions

Dysmenorrhea Menstruation Disturbances Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Pelvic Pain Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Istanbul

Istanbul, 34000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • The inclusion criteria were being 18-30 years of age, having regular menstrual cycles, having a diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea, reporting menstrual pain greater than 4/10 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) during the previous 6 months

Exclusion criteria

  • conditions associated with secondary dysmenorrhea, such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, or endometrial polyps; a history of pelvic infection; use of an intrauterine device or oral contraceptives; previous pregnancy or childbirth; presence of a cardiac pacemaker; pelvic floor dysfunction related to a neurological disorder; and inability to provide informed consent

Treatment and study plan

Pelvic Floor Muscle training

Other

All participants received training to improve awareness and correct activation of the pelvic floor muscles before beginning the exercise program. One set consisted of 10 rapid and 10 slow pelvic floor muscle contractions. During rapid contractions, participants were instructed to contract and relax the pelvic floor muscles quickly. During slow contractions, they were instructed to gradually increase the contraction, maintain it for 10 seconds, and then slowly relax the muscles.

The pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) program was performed 3 days per week, with 3 sessions per day. Over the 8-week intervention period, the number of sets performed during each session was progressively increased from 1 to 10. Exercise positions were also progressively varied and included supine lying, child's pose, sitting, standing, squatting, and bridging. Participants recorded their exercises in exercise diaries, which were reviewed weekly to monitor adherence

Interferential current

Other

Interferential current (IFC) was applied on the first day of the second menstrual cycle to participants allocated to the PFME+IFC and PFME+IFC+KT groups. IFC was administered to the lumbar region using a quadripolar technique with four vacuum or plate electrodes. Each application lasted 20 minutes, with the stimulation frequency set at 90-100 Hz. Treatment was delivered using a Chattanooga Intelect Advanced device. The intervention was performed under standardized conditions to ensure participant comfort.

Kinesio Taping

Other

Kinesio taping (KT) was applied only to participants in the PFME+IFC+KT group. The application was performed on the first day of the second menstrual cycle, with the taping sites individualized according to the pain locations identified on each participant's pain body diagram.

An I-strip was applied to the suprapubic region using the ligament technique at 100% tension. A star-shaped taping technique was applied over the sacral region. For areas of fascial sensitivity, a Y-strip was applied using a fascial correction technique with 25-50% tension, whereas small I-strips were applied over localized tender points using the space correction technique with 25-50% tension. The tape was planned to be replaced every 3 days, with a 1-day tape-free interval before the second application

Primary outcomes

  1. Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire

    Time frame: First day of the first menstrual cycle, first day of the second menstrual cycle, and first day of the third menstrual cycle

    Pain characteristics were assessed using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). The questionnaire consists of 15 pain descriptors, including 11 sensory and 4 affective items. Each descriptor is scored from 0 (none) to 3 (severe), with higher total scores indicating greater pain severity. The validity and reliability of the Turkish version have been established

  2. pain body diagram

    Time frame: First day of the first menstrual cycle, first day of the second menstrual cycle, and first day of the third menstrual cycle

    The distribution of pain was assessed using a standardized body diagram on which participants marked the anatomical regions in which they experienced pain. For the present study, the total pain body diagram score was calculated as the total number of regions marked as painful.

  3. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

    Time frame: First day of the first menstrual cycle, first day of the second menstrual cycle, and first day of the third menstrual cycle

    Subjective sleep quality was assessed using the subjective sleep quality component of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The PSQI comprises seven components assessing different aspects of sleep, with higher scores indicating poorer sleep quality. The validity and reliability of the Turkish version have previously been established (Ağargün et al., 1996). In the present study, only the subjective sleep quality component was included in the analysis.

  4. SF-36

    Time frame: First day of the first menstrual cycle, first day of the second menstrual cycle, and first day of the third menstrual cycle

    Health-related quality of life was assessed using the SF-36 Health Survey. The instrument assesses eight health domains: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, role limitations due to emotional problems, energy/fatigue, emotional well-being, social functioning, bodily pain, and general health. The health change item was also evaluated. Domain scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better perceived health status. The validity and reliability of the Turkish version have been established

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Istanbul Medipol University Hospital

Other

Collaborators

  • The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Interferential Current and Kinesio Taping Added to Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises in Women With Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Sep 21, 2026
Registry last updated
Sep 21, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

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This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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