Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Effects of Physiotherapy on Ultrasound and Clinical Parameters in Women With Dysmenorrhea
Sponsor: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Summary
Dysmenorrhea affects up to 90% of women of reproductive age and represents a significant public health concern. Beyond prostaglandin-mediated uterine contractions, dysmenorrhea involves central sensitization mechanisms and myofascial components, including abdominal trigger points. Despite growing interest in physiotherapy for chronic pelvic pain, objective data on tissue-level changes induced by manual therapy remain scarce. This randomized single-blind sham-controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of abdominal manual mobilization techniques on (1) tissue stiffness measured by shear wave elastography at the uterine cervix and bilateral abdominal regions, and (2) clinical outcomes including pain intensity and quality of life in women with dysmenorrhea, with or without endometriosis. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a treatment group receiving standardized abdominal manual therapy or a sham group receiving superficial manual contact. Assessments will be conducted over three menstrual cycles using shear wave elastography, the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and the SF-36 questionnaire.
Official title: Effects of Physiotherapy on Ultrasound and Clinical Parameters in Women With Dysmenorrhea With or Without Endometriosis
Key Details
Gender
FEMALE
Age Range
18 Years - 50 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
80
Start Date
2026-09
Completion Date
2028-09
Last Updated
2026-06-12
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Abdominal manual mobilization
Abdominal mobilization (10 min): Patient supine, knees flexed. Therapist's ulnar hand borders placed on lower abdomen. During expiration, a cranial manual push is applied following the respiratory cycle; the maneuver is repeated during inspiration. Hands are then placed over the lower ribs at the diaphragmatic domes; a caudal push is applied during inspiration and repeated during expiration. Broad ligament mobilization (5 min): Patient supine, knees flexed. Therapist's cephalad hand placed over broad ligament landmarks; other hand holds the patient's legs. Opposing hand movements create an abdominal stretch. Lateral uterine mobilizations performed abdominally on both sides. Hypopressive abdominal exercises (5 min): Therapist guides patient through hypopressive technique: exhale, breath-hold, false thoracic inspiration, abdominal draw-in, transverse abdominis contraction. Hold 10 seconds, then release. Position: standing, knees flexed, hands pressing on thighs.
Sham manual contact
Superficial skin contact applied to the abdominal region without therapeutic pressure or mobilization, intended to mimic the experimental intervention in terms of time and positioning.
Locations (2)
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Brussels, Brussels Capital, Belgium
Isek He2B
Brussels, Brussels Capital, Belgium