NCT07335926

Tele-Pilates for Primary Dysmenorrhea

Tele-Pilates for Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Controlled Trial on Pain, Symptoms, and Trunk Endurance

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 34 (actual)
• Sponsor: Atlas University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 35 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This randomized controlled trial investigates the effectiveness of a synchronized tele-Pilates program on menstrual pain, symptom severity, physical disability, and trunk muscle endurance in women with primary dysmenorrhea (PD). The intervention includes 16 supervised online Pilates sessions delivered over eight weeks.

Detailed description

Primary dysmenorrhea is a prevalent gynecological condition characterized by painful menstruation. Exercise, particularly core stabilization and mind-body methods like Pilates, may improve both physical and psychological symptoms associated with PD. In this single-center RCT, 34 women aged 18-35 with PD were randomized to either a Tele-Pilates group or a control group. The Pilates group received supervised online sessions twice weekly for 8 weeks. Outcomes included pain severity (VAS), symptom burden (MSQ), functional impairment (FEMD), disability (Oswestry LBP Index), and trunk muscle endurance (McGill tests). Findings demonstrated significant improvements in the Pilates group across all domains.

Conditions

• Primary Dysmenorrhea

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Tele-Pilates Exercise program	The intervention consisted of a synchronous, supervised tele-Pilates exercise program delivered via video conferencing platforms twice per week for 8 weeks. Each session lasted approximately 50 minutes and followed clinical Pilates principles based on the APPI method. The program emphasized core activation, diaphragmatic breathing, pelvic alignment, and trunk stabilization through progressively structured movements. Real-time feedback from a physiotherapist ensured correct execution, adaptation to individual capacity, and consistent adherence. The exercise protocol also incorporated components such as pelvic floor activation, transversus abdominis training, and guided relaxation.
BEHAVIORAL	standardized menstrual health education online	The education module consisted of two 45-minute interactive sessions conducted by a physiotherapist and covered the physiology of the menstrual cycle, pathophysiology of primary dysmenorrhea, common symptoms, and non-pharmacological management strategies. Content also included lifestyle modifications such as hydration, nutrition, physical activity, stress reduction techniques, and proper menstrual hygiene practices. Educational materials were adapted from current evidence-based guidelines and delivered using digital slides and discussion-based formats to promote participant engagement and understanding.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-04-01
• Primary completion: 2024-06-15
• Completion: 2024-07-01
• First posted: 2026-01-13
• Last updated: 2026-01-13

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)