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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06500520

Resistive Exercise and Stretching in Women With Dysmenorrhea

This study highlights the importance of exercise for young women with primary dysmenorrhea. Exercise can help relieve the symptoms of dysmenorrhea by increasing blood flow and promoting the release of endorphins. Additionally, exercise can improve the overall quality of life by reducing stress and anxiety. A comprehensive comparison of the effects of especially resistant exercises and stretching exercises on menstrual pain is based on limited findings in the literature. Therefore, this study aims to make a significant contribution to clinical practice by evaluating the effectiveness and feasibility of these exercise types.

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Key information

Conditions

Dysmenorrhea Primary

Age range

18 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Karabük University

Karabük, 78000, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common condition that seriously affects women's quality of life, and alternative methods other than pharmacotherapy are often investigated. Exercise may play a potential role in reducing the symptoms of dysmenorrhea by increasing blood flow and promoting the release of endorphins. Additionally, exercise can improve the overall quality of life by reducing stress and anxiety. However, studies comparing the specific effects of resistance exercises and stretching exercises on dysmenorrhea are limited and do not provide clear guidance on this subject. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of these two types of exercise in young women with primary dysmenorrhea. The results of the research can guide healthcare professionals by providing information on which type of exercise may be more effective in clinical practice. The importance of exercise as a non-pharmacological treatment option is emphasized, and it is aimed at making a significant contribution to the wide acceptance and application of such treatments.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Having a score of 60 points or above on the menstrual symptoms scale
  • Having a regular menstrual cycle (24-35 days)
  • Not doing any exercise regularly
  • Being between the ages of 18 and 25
  • Nulliparity
  • Being cooperative and oriented
  • Volunteering to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

  • Having a medical history of chronic disease (cardiopulmonary, neurological, thyroid gland diseases)
  • Having a history of regular exercise
  • Engaging in regular sexual activity
  • Having undergone gynecological surgical procedures
  • Using hormonal contraceptive drugs or intrauterine devices
  • Using a drug that causes dysmenorrhea
  • Pelvic pathology, pelvic inflammatory diseases, endometriosis, etc. Having a disease that causes secondary dysmenorrhea
  • Using antidepressant medication
  • Having acute musculoskeletal system problems

Treatment and study plan

Resisted Exercise group

Other

The resisted exercise training program targeted trunk, upper, and lower body segments with 10-12 repetitions at 30-65% intensity, lasting 50-60 minutes per session, 3 times weekly for 8 weeks. Participants determined their maximal repetition through trial training. Maximal power was assessed using concentric 1-maximal repetition (MT). Following a 2-3 minute rest and a 5-minute warm-up (walking), participants performed the 1-MT test to establish their heaviest lift with the correct technique, adjusting resistance levels accordingly. The circuit-style training spanned 9 stations with 2-3 sets per station, each circuit lasting 2-3 minutes with 90-second rests between sets. A 5-minute warm-up and cool-down (walking) preceded and followed each session. Exercises included bilateral elbow flexion, chest press, bilateral shoulder abduction, bilateral knee extension, back extension, sit-ups, knee flexion, hip abduction, and hip adduction.

Stretching Exercise group

Other

The participants were made to perform stretching exercises, selected by reviewing the literature, under supervision 3 days a week for 8 weeks, and they were asked not to do any other exercises during this intervention period. They were asked to do exercises such as trunk flexion, pelvic elevation, squatting, trunk lateral flexion, lumbar extensor stretching, lower abdominal stretching, hip adduct stretching, piriformis stretching, and trunk flexor stretching (cobra pose). The holding time was 5 seconds, the rest time was 1 second, and the exercises were applied in 10 repetitions.

Primary outcomes

  1. Visual Analog Scale

    Time frame: At baseline, on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 1 (each cycle is 28 days), and on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 2 (each cycle is 28 days).

    Lower abdomen, leg and low back pain were evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale

  2. Menstrual symptoms questionnaire

    Time frame: At baseline, on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 1 (each cycle is 28 days), and on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 2 (each cycle is 28 days).

    menstrual symptoms were evaluated with the Menstrual Symptoms Questionnaire

  3. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

    Time frame: At baseline, on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 1 (each cycle is 28 days), and on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 2 (each cycle is 28 days).

    sleep quality was evaluated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

  4. Health-Related Quality of Life Assessment (SF 36 Short Form)

    Time frame: At baseline, on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 1 (each cycle is 28 days), and on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 2 (each cycle is 28 days).

    Quality of life was evaluated with the Health-Related Quality of Life Assessment (SF 36 Short Form)

  5. Functional and Emotional Dysmenorrhea Questionnaire

    Time frame: At baseline, on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 1 (each cycle is 28 days), and on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 2 (each cycle is 28 days).

    functional and emotional status was evaluated with the Functional and Emotional Dysmenorrhea Questionnaire

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Karabuk University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparison of the Effects of Resistant Exercise and Stretching Exercises on Menstrual Symptoms, Quality of Life, Functional and Emotional Status in Young Women With Primary Dysmenorrhea

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Jul 15, 2024
Registry last updated
Jul 15, 2024

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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