NCT07407699

Exercise, Insulin Resistance, and Chronic Pain in Postmenopausal Women.

Isulin Resistance as a Mediator of Chronic Pain in Postmenopausal Women: Effects of a Combined Exercise Program on Metabolic and Inflammatory Mechanisms

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Sponsor: São Paulo State University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: —
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aims to investigate the effects of a combined exercise program on chronic pain in postmenopausal women, considering insulin resistance as a potential physiological mediator. The intervention will assess changes in pain intensity, metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers, psychosocial factors, and body composition. The findings may contribute to understanding the metabolic mechanisms underlying chronic pain in postmenopausal women and support exercise as a non-pharmacological therapeutic strategy.

Detailed description

Postmenopausal women experience a high prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain, potentially influenced by hormonal depletion, metabolic dysfunction, and low-grade systemic inflammation. Insulin resistance has been associated with inflammatory processes and may contribute to peripheral and central sensitization mechanisms involved in chronic pain. This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effects of a combined exercise intervention, including aerobic, resistance, and mind-body components, on pain intensity and related outcomes in postmenopausal women with chronic pain. Secondary outcomes include metabolic markers, inflammatory biomarkers, psychosocial variables, and body composition. Insulin resistance will be explored as a mediator of pain modulation following the exercise intervention.

Conditions

• Chronic Pain
• Postmenopausal
• Insulin Resistance

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Combined Exercise Program	Participants allocated to the intervention group will take part in a supervised combined exercise program, performed twice weekly for 12 months. Each session will last approximately 60 minutes and will include aerobic exercise, resistance training, and mind-body exercise. Aerobic training will consist of walking or cycling at moderate intensity, monitored by heart rate. Resistance training will involve multi-joint exercises using body weight and elastic bands, with progressive overload. Mind-body exercise will be performed using restorative yoga techniques. Exercise sessions will be supervised by a trained physiotherapist.
OTHER	Usual Care Group	Participants allocated to the control group will continue with their usual care and daily activities, without participation in any structured or supervised exercise program during the study period.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-08-01
• Primary completion: 2027-07-01
• Completion: 2027-07-01
• First posted: 2026-02-12
• Last updated: 2026-02-12