NCT01321840

Brief Summary

The aim of the study is to test, if patients suffering from Endometriosis show changes in their brain function, when being treated with SART (Systemic Autoregulation Therapy), a complex intervention consisting of interventions from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western Hypnotherapy. Functional and structural brain changes are assessed using Magnetic Resonance Imaging data which are analyzed by means of voxel-based morphometry (VBM), connectivity and perfusion analysis. A third outcome measure are changes of patients' heart rate variability, indicating the activity of their autonomic nervous system. With a number of questionnaires, changes in dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, menstruation regularity, dyspareunia, defecation pain, and quality of life are assessed during the SART treatment. During the treatment, we expect to see changes in cortical thickness, functional connectivity and perfusion of pain-related areas of the cortex, that correlate with the changes in heart rate variability.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
60

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Mar 2010

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

2 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

March 1, 2010

Completed
1.1 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

March 23, 2011

Completed
1 day until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

March 24, 2011

Completed
1.7 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 1, 2012

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 1, 2012

Completed
Last Updated

January 6, 2017

Status Verified

January 1, 2017

Enrollment Period

2.8 years

First QC Date

March 23, 2011

Last Update Submit

January 5, 2017

Conditions

Keywords

Endometriosispainsartautonomic nervous systemfMRIperfusionconnectivityhypnotherapytraditional Chinese medicine

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Brain function

    Changes in cortical thickness, functional connectivity and perfusion of brain areas related to the processing of pain and emotions.

    12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (5)

  • Reduction of pain

    12 weeks

  • Pain scores

    12 wks

  • Quality of life

    12 wks

  • Endometriosis-related symptoms

    12 wks

  • HRV (HF, LF, LF/HF)

    12 wks

Study Arms (2)

Treatment

EXPERIMENTAL

This group will be treated with SART.

Procedure: Specific Autoregulation Therapy (SART)

No treatment

NO INTERVENTION

This group will not be treated with SART but will regularly be examined by a gynecologist to detect sudden aggravation of the disease.

Interventions

Complex intervention involving acupuncture and hypnotherapeutic techniques after an extensive diagnosis using chinese medical concepts. Patients will receive a maximum of 10 treatments, which are delivered weekly.

Treatment

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexfemale
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • age \> 18 years old
  • clinically or histologically ensured diagnosis of Endometriosis
  • preoperative and postoperative recurring ailments related to Endometriosis
  • no hormone therapy (GnRH analogues, contraceptives)
  • sufficient understanding of the German or English language
  • persisting pain during menstruation (also in between)
  • voluntary participation after information on the possible benefits and risks of the examination and intervention
  • written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

  • alcohol addiction, drug addiction
  • pregnancy
  • diseases and other criteria, preventing an MRI examination:
  • pacemaker
  • neurostimulator or drug pump
  • metal parts in the body (implants, splinters, etc.)
  • claustrophobia

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (2)

Pain & Autonomics - Integrative Research, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie

Jena, 07743, Germany

Location

Frauenklinik der Technischen Universität München

München, 81675, Germany

Location

Related Publications (2)

  • Meissner K, Schweizer-Arau A, Limmer A, Preibisch C, Popovici RM, Lange I, de Oriol B, Beissner F. Psychotherapy With Somatosensory Stimulation for Endometriosis-Associated Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Nov;128(5):1134-1142. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000001691.

  • Beissner F, Preibisch C, Schweizer-Arau A, Popovici RM, Meissner K. Psychotherapy With Somatosensory Stimulation for Endometriosis-Associated Pain: The Role of the Anterior Hippocampus. Biol Psychiatry. 2018 Nov 15;84(10):734-742. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.01.006. Epub 2017 Jan 16.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

EndometriosisPain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Genital Diseases, FemaleFemale Urogenital DiseasesFemale Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy ComplicationsUrogenital DiseasesGenital DiseasesNeurologic ManifestationsSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

  • Florian Beissner, Dr.phil.nat.

    Pain & Autonomics - Integrative Research, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Jena

    STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
BASIC SCIENCE
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Dr. phil. nat.

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

March 23, 2011

First Posted

March 24, 2011

Study Start

March 1, 2010

Primary Completion

December 1, 2012

Study Completion

December 1, 2012

Last Updated

January 6, 2017

Record last verified: 2017-01

Locations