Muscle Energy Technique and Myofascial Chain Training for Menstrual Pain in Primary Dysmenorrhea (METPD-25)

NCT ID: NCT07058480

Last Updated: 2025-07-10

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

30 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-12-15

Study Completion Date

2025-03-31

Brief Summary

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This prospective clinical trial evaluates the effects of a non-pharmacological intervention combining muscle energy technique (MET) and myofascial chain (MFC)-based pelvic stabilization training in women with primary dysmenorrhea (PD). The study aims to determine whether this combined approach can improve pelvic alignment, reduce menstrual pain, and enhance static balance. Participants are assigned to either an experimental group receiving MET + MFC-based training or a control group receiving conventional physiotherapy. Outcomes include radiographic pelvic parameters, pain intensity, and balance performance.

Detailed Description

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Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a common gynecological condition characterized by cyclic lower abdominal pain without an identifiable organic cause. Biomechanical factors such as pelvic misalignment and myofascial imbalance are increasingly recognized as contributing to the persistence and severity of PD.

This prospective non-randomized controlled trial investigates whether a combined intervention of muscle energy technique (MET) and myofascial chain (MFC)-based pelvic stabilization training can improve pelvic structure and reduce clinical symptoms in women with PD. Participants are women aged 18-45 years with moderate-to-severe PD and radiographic evidence of pelvic misalignment. They are assigned to one of two groups:

Experimental group: MET plus MFC-based core stabilization exercises. Control group: Interferential current therapy and deep friction massage. Interventions are administered three times per week for four weeks. The primary outcomes include changes in pelvic sagittal parameters (pelvic tilt, sacral slope, pelvic incidence), pelvic symmetry, menstrual pain (measured by VAS), and static balance (eyes-closed single-leg stance). Assessments are conducted at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks post-intervention.

The study aims to explore whether biomechanical correction of pelvic alignment contributes to pain modulation and functional improvement in women with PD, providing a basis for non-pharmacological rehabilitation strategies.

Conditions

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Primary Dysmenorrhea (PD)

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

This study adopted a prospective, two-arm parallel assignment design to compare the effects of MET combined with myofascial chain-based pelvic stabilization training versus conventional physiotherapy in women with primary dysmenorrhea.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

This was an open-label study without any masked parties.

Study Groups

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Combined MET and MFC-Based Pelvic Stabilization

Participants receive Muscle Energy Technique (MET) for iliac dysfunction and sacral torsion, plus myofascial chain-based pelvic stabilization training (curl-ups, planks, anti-rotation). 3 sessions/week, 50 minutes/session, for 4 weeks.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Combined MET and MFC-Based Pelvic Stabilization Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

This intervention consisted of a combination of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) for iliac and sacral dysfunctions (20 minutes per session) and myofascial chain-based pelvic stabilization training (including curl-ups, planks, and anti-rotation exercises; 30 minutes per session), targeting pelvic alignment and neuromuscular control. Sessions were conducted 3 times per week, 50 minutes per session, for 4 consecutive weeks.

Interferential current therapy (ICT) and Deep Friction Massage (DFM)

Participants receive medium- and low-frequency electrotherapy and deep friction massage targeting the lumbar (lower back), sacroiliac, and iliac crest regions. 3 sessions/week, 50 minutes/session, for 4 weeks.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Interferential current therapy (ICT)

Intervention Type DEVICE

Interferential current therapy (ICT) was applied to the lumbar (lower back), sacroiliac, and iliac crest regions, 3 sessions per week, 20 minutes per session, for 4 weeks.

Deep Friction Massage (DFM)

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Deep friction massage was administered to the lumbar, sacroiliac, and iliac crest regions for 30 minutes per session, 3 sessions per week, for 4 weeks.

Interventions

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Combined MET and MFC-Based Pelvic Stabilization Training

This intervention consisted of a combination of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) for iliac and sacral dysfunctions (20 minutes per session) and myofascial chain-based pelvic stabilization training (including curl-ups, planks, and anti-rotation exercises; 30 minutes per session), targeting pelvic alignment and neuromuscular control. Sessions were conducted 3 times per week, 50 minutes per session, for 4 consecutive weeks.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Interferential current therapy (ICT)

Interferential current therapy (ICT) was applied to the lumbar (lower back), sacroiliac, and iliac crest regions, 3 sessions per week, 20 minutes per session, for 4 weeks.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Deep Friction Massage (DFM)

Deep friction massage was administered to the lumbar, sacroiliac, and iliac crest regions for 30 minutes per session, 3 sessions per week, for 4 weeks.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Females aged 18-45 years
* Regular menstrual cycles
* Clinically diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea
* Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score ≥ 4 during menstruation for at least six consecutive months
* Radiographic evidence of pelvic tilt, sacral slope deviation, or frontal pelvic asymmetry

Exclusion Criteria

* Secondary dysmenorrhea or diagnosed gynecological pathologies (e.g., endometriosis, ovarian cysts)
* Pregnancy or lactation
* Current use of hormonal contraceptives or hormone therapy
* Ongoing or recent physical therapy targeting the pelvis
* History of pelvic or spinal surgery
* Congenital or structural musculoskeletal disorders affecting the lumbopelvic region
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

45 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Shanjiao Luo

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Shanjiao Luo

PhD Candidate / Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Shanjiao Luo, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Shenzhen JianAn Hospital / Sehan University

Locations

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Shenzhen JianAn Hospital

Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

Site Status

Countries

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China

References

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Gartenberg A, Nessim A, Cho W. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Eur Spine J. 2021 Oct;30(10):2936-2943. doi: 10.1007/s00586-021-06927-9. Epub 2021 Jul 16.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34272605 (View on PubMed)

Ju H, Jones M, Mishra G. The prevalence and risk factors of dysmenorrhea. Epidemiol Rev. 2014;36:104-13. doi: 10.1093/epirev/mxt009. Epub 2013 Nov 26.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24284871 (View on PubMed)

Wang J, He X, Zhu C, Ding H, Feng G, Yang X, Liu L, Song Y. The relationship between spino-pelvic alignment and primary dysmenorrhea. Front Surg. 2023 Feb 8;10:1125520. doi: 10.3389/fsurg.2023.1125520. eCollection 2023.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36843999 (View on PubMed)

Legaye J, Duval-Beaupere G, Hecquet J, Marty C. Pelvic incidence: a fundamental pelvic parameter for three-dimensional regulation of spinal sagittal curves. Eur Spine J. 1998;7(2):99-103. doi: 10.1007/s005860050038.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 9629932 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Related Links

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http://www.jayy.cn

Shenzhen JianAn Hospital official website, the clinical trial site.

Other Identifiers

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JAH-METPD-2025-01

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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