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

NCT07058480 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: JAH-METPD-2025-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Primary Dysmenorrhea (PD)

Keywords

Pelvic Girdle Dysfunction; Muscle Energy Technique; Pelvic Stabilization Training; Pelvic Alignment

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in menstrual pain intensity measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

  The primary outcome was the change in pain intensity before and after intervention, assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS，0-10). Participants rated their average menstrual pain during the most painful day of menstruation. A reduction in VAS score indicated improvement in dysmenorrhea symptoms.

  Baseline (pre-intervention), Week 4 (immediate post-intervention), and Week 12 (telephone follow-up to assess sustainability of treatment effects)

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Change in Pelvic Tilt (PT) Angle

  Baseline and Week 4 (end of intervention)

• Change in Sacral Slope (SS) Angle

  Baseline and Week 4 (end of intervention)

• Change in Pelvic Incidence (PI) Angle

  Baseline and Week 4 (end of intervention)

• Change in Pelvic Asymmetry Score

  Baseline and Week 4 (end of intervention)

• Change in Static Balance

  Baseline and Week 4 (end of intervention)

Study Arms (2)

Combined MET and MFC-Based Pelvic Stabilization

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

Behavioral: Combined MET and MFC-Based Pelvic Stabilization Training

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

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

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.

Device: Interferential current therapy (ICT); Behavioral: Deep Friction Massage (DFM)

Interventions

Combined MET and MFC-Based Pelvic Stabilization Training 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.

Combined MET and MFC-Based Pelvic Stabilization

Interferential current therapy (ICT) 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.

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

Deep Friction Massage (DFM) 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.

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

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: This study specifically targets biologically female participants of reproductive age who experience moderate to severe primary dysmenorrhea, as defined by VAS ≥ 4.
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Shanjiao Luo: lead

Study Sites (1)

Shenzhen JianAn Hospital

Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, China

Location

Related Publications (4)

• 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.

  PMID: 34272605 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 24284871 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 36843999 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 9629932 BACKGROUND

Related Links

• Shenzhen JianAn Hospital official website, the clinical trial site.

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Electric Stimulation Therapy

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation

Study Officials

• Shanjiao Luo, PhD

  Shenzhen JianAn Hospital / Sehan University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: This was an open-label study without any masked parties.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD Candidate / Principal Investigator

Model Details: 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.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 23, 2025
• First Posted: July 10, 2025
• Study Start: December 15, 2024
• Primary Completion: January 31, 2025
• Study Completion: March 31, 2025
• Last Updated: July 10, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF
• Time Frame: IPD and supporting documentation will be available from 6 months after publication of the results in a peer-reviewed journal. The data will be accessible for a period of 2 years via request to the corresponding author (luoshanjiao@gmail.com).
• Access Criteria: Qualified researchers with a methodologically sound proposal may request access to the de-identified individual participant data (IPD) and supporting documents. Requests should be directed to the corresponding author via email (luoshanjiao@gmail.com). Access will be granted on a case-by-case basis after approval by the study team.

Locations

CN (1)