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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07245537

ENDOGYM: A Holistic Approach With Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy and Yoga for Endometriosis Pain Relief

The aim of this study is to evaluate the combined effects of Yoga practice and pelvic floor physiotherapy (PFP) on chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and dyspareunia in endometriosis patients.

This is a retrospective study carried out from April 2024 to November 2024 conducted by University Hospital Modena (Italy). A total of 82 women with confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis were initially enrolled in the ENDOGYM program. Among them, 50 patients (61%) were therefore included in the final analysis. ENDOGYM consists of 12 weekly sessions over a period of 3 months. It includes two PFP sessions, lasting 1 hour each (one at the start and one at the end of the program), and 12 Yoga sessions, once a week, each lasting 60 minutes. EHP-30 questionnaire was used before and after the program to evaluate women's QoL; NRS scale was used before, half-way and after the program to evaluate CPP and dyspareunia.

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Key information

Age range

18 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Observational

Primary location

AOU Policlinico di Modena

Modena, Emilia-Romagna, 41125, Italy

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • women with an ultrasound and/or post-operative histological diagnosis of endometriosis
  • aged between 18-50 years
  • currently undergoing medical treatment (for at least 3 months before the start of the study), and/or who have previously undergone surgical treatment
  • with myofascial pain ≥ 7 (NRS scale) and deep dyspareunia ≥ 7 (NRS scale).

Exclusion criteria

  • being pregnant
  • undergoing surgery in the past 6 months
  • concurrent diagnosis of fibromyalgia
  • documented pelvic and/or spine trauma within 5 years of recruitment
  • patients with interstitial cystitis and > 2 urinary tract infections per year, unless possibly related to endometriosis (non-bacterial)
  • patients with recurrent vaginal infections, mucocutaneous inflammations of the vulva and vagina.

Treatment and study plan

yoga

Other

The Yoga sessions were designed to address specific physiological needs related to endometriosis, such as CPP, myofascial pain, chronic fatigue, and hormonal imbalance. The asanas were selected to stimulate the nervous system, promote blood circulation, and relax the pelvic muscles. The poses were adapted to avoid any direct pressure on the pelvic organs, fostering a sense of lightness and awareness. Deep breathing techniques were taught to reduce stress and improve tissue oxygenation, with a positive impact on pain management and immune function. The breathing exercises were often hypopressive to reduce the load on the pelvic area. The use of mindfulness was encouraged to increase awareness of bodily sensations, reduce anxiety, and improve emotional balance. The practice was not just "a physical activity" but an opportunity for the participant to deeply connect with her body, promoting an overall improvement in the QoL.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Other

During the two one-hour sessions of PFP, various tools were used, such as balls of different textures and a cylindrical cushion provide tactile biofeedback and help identify the boundaries of the perineum. Patients were free to adjust the intensity of the feedback by choosing or removing the appropriate aid. By perceiving the different muscular layers of the perineum and altering the posture of the pelvis and lower limbs, patients learned about perineal movements, muscle activation, and myofascial tensions. The goal was to internalize the therapeutic exercises demonstrated and apply them in various daily life situations to maintain improvements in the perineal-pelvic structures.

Primary outcomes

  1. Evaluate the combined effects of Yoga practice and pelvic floor physiotherapy (PFP) on chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in endometriosis patients

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of the lessons at 3 months

    Before the start of the project, a disease-specific questionnaire to measure the QoL of women with endometriosis, the Endometriosis Health Profile-30 (EHP-30) questionnaire, was used to collect data about pain, control and powerlessness, emotional well-being, social support, self-image, work life, sexual intercourse, relationship with children, the medical profession, treatment, and infertility. Response categories are evaluated using a five-point Likert scale (0-4), and each EHP-30 scale is converted into a scoring system ranging from 0 to 100, where 0 indicates the best possible health status and 100 represents the worst possible health status. The Italian version of EHP-30 was used. Finally, at the end of the project, the women completed the EHP-30 questionnaire again. Comparisons of EHP-30 total and domain scores before and after the ENDOGYM program were performed using paired t-tests (two-tailed).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Evaluate the combined effects of Yoga practice and pelvic floor physiotherapy (PFP) on dyspareunia in endometriosis patients

    Time frame: From the enrollment till the end of the lessons at 3 months

    Before the start of the project, the NRS scale was used to collect data about deep dyspareunia in patients with endometriosis. An additional assessment of deep dyspareunia using the NRS scale was performed halfway through the process. Finally, at the end of the project, the women assessed their deep dyspareunia one last time using the NRS scale.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena

Other

Registry information

Official study title

EndoGym Progetto di Riabilitazione Del Pavimento Pelvico e Trattamento Del Dolore Miofasciale e Dispareunia Tramite la Pratica Dello Yoga in Pazienti Con Diagnosi di Endometriosi.

Acronym: ENDOGYM

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2025
First posted
Nov 24, 2025
Registry last updated
Nov 24, 2025

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

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

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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