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Exercise, Motor Imagery, and Pain Neuroscience Education for Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Trial
Sponsor: Muge Dereli
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to find out whether exercise, motor imagery training, and pain neuroscience education can help reduce menstrual pain and improve well-being in young women with primary dysmenorrhea. The study will also look at how these approaches affect menstrual symptoms, movement control, and cognitive flexibility. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does adding motor imagery or pain neuroscience education to an exercise program reduce pain and menstrual symptoms more than exercise alone? * Do these approaches improve movement control, thinking flexibility, and knowledge about pain? Researchers will compare three groups: * Exercise only * Exercise plus motor imagery training * Exercise plus pain neuroscience education Participants will: * Attend supervised exercise sessions twice a week for 8 weeks * Practice either motor imagery or receive short pain neuroscience education, depending on their group * Complete questionnaires and tests before and after the program, during the first three days of menstruation
Official title: Comparison of the Effects of Exercise, Motor Imagery Training, and Pain Neuroscience Education on Pain, Menstrual Symptoms, and Cognitive Flexibility in Women With Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
FEMALE
Age Range
18 Years - 25 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
51
Start Date
2025-02-25
Completion Date
2026-09
Last Updated
2025-09-29
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Exercise Program
Participants will complete an 8-week supervised exercise program, delivered twice per week. The program includes lumbopelvic stabilization, stretching, and endurance training exercises designed to reduce menstrual pain and improve physical function.
Exercise plus Motor Imagery Training
Participants will complete the same 8-week supervised exercise program as the Exercise Only group. In addition, they will practice kinesthetic motor imagery of the prescribed movements prior to performing them, aiming to enhance motor control and pain modulation.
Exercise plus Pain Neuroscience Education
Participants will complete the same 8-week supervised exercise program as the Exercise Only group. In addition, they will receive weekly face-to-face pain neuroscience education sessions focused on pain neurophysiology, supported with home assignments to reinforce learning.
Locations (1)
Aydın Adnan Menderes University
Aydin, Efeler, Turkey (Türkiye)