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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06674655

Motor Imagery Plus Therapeutic Exercise in Women With Menstrual Pain

The researchers will conduct a study that combines motor imagery with therapeutic exercise in women experiencing menstrual pain. Previous research suggests that motor imagery, when used alongside physical exercise, may help improve motor control and alleviate pain, potentially enhancing outcomes for individuals dealing with chronic pain conditions. Through this study, the investigators aim to explore the effectiveness of these interventions in targeting key variables such as pain perception, motor coordination, and overall quality of life, building on existing evidence of motor imagery's benefits in pain management.

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Key information

Conditions

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

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Valencia

Valencia, Valènica, 46010, Spain

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Women who have experienced menstrual pain for more than 6 months.
  • Pain intensity rated higher than 3/10 on a pain scale.
  • Participants do not take pain-relief medication during the study period.
  • Ages between 18 and 35 years old

Exclusion criteria

  • Current use of hormonal contraceptives or other treatments that affect menstrual cycles.
  • Any chronic pain condition unrelated to menstrual pain (e.g., fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain).
  • Diagnosed gynecological conditions such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease.
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
  • Current use of psychoactive medications that could affect pain perception.
  • Any significant psychiatric condition that could interfere with study participation.
  • History of recent pelvic surgery (within the last 6 months).

Treatment and study plan

Motor Imagery Plus Therapeutic Exercise

Behavioral

This group will perform three days of lumbo-pelvic motor control exercise intervention along with a motor imagery intervention program during active breaks between exercises.

Therapeutic Exercise

Behavioral

This group will perform a lumbo-pelvic motor control exercise program for three consecutive days.

Minimal Intervention

Behavioral

This group will carry out a therapeutic counseling and minimal education intervention during a one-day intervention.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain Intensity

    Time frame: Menstrual pain intensity will be assessed pre-intervention (T0), mid-intervention (T1-day 1, T2-day 2) and Post-intervention (T3-day 3).

    The main variable is the intensity of menstrual pain, which will be evaluated before, during and after the intervention using a verbal numerical scale (0-10), where 0 is no pain and 10 is maximum pain.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Lumbopelvic Motor Control

    Time frame: Lumbopelvic motor control will be assessed pre-intervention (T0), mid-intervention (T1-day 1, T2-day 2) and Post-intervention (T3-day 3).

    Lumbopelvic motor control will be assessed by a visual feedback system starting from a pressure of 40 mmHg.

  2. Pain Sensitivity

    Time frame: Pain sensitivity will be assessed pre-intervention (T0), mid-intervention (T1-day 1, T2-day 2) and Post-intervention (T3-day 3).

    Pain sensitivity will be assessed with an algometer using pressure pain thresholds (in various areas, such as the abdomen, lumbar and thiabial region), as well as through conditioned pain modulation.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Valencia

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Motor Imagery and Therapeutic Exercise on Sensorimotor Function in Women With Menstrual Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Nov 5, 2024
Registry last updated
May 19, 2026

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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