Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Manual Lymphatic Drainage in Young Women With Primary Dysmenorrhea

NCT07378475 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: UCJCDLMDP
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This pilot clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) in reducing symptoms associated with primary dysmenorrhea in young women. Primary dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological condition characterized by intense pelvic pain during menstruation, often accompanied by fatigue, headache, and sleep disturbances. Despite its high prevalence, it is frequently underestimated, negatively impacting quality of life and daily activities. The intervention consists of three monthly sessions of MLD performed during the late luteal phase, prior to menstruation. Outcome measures include pain intensity, abdominal circumference, pressure pain threshold, sleep quality, and health-related quality of life.

Conditions

Dysmenorrhea Primary

Keywords

Manual Lymphatic Drainage; physiotherapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• VAS

  Change in pain intensity measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Visual Analog Scale (0-10 cm) to assess menstrual pain intensity. Scores are classified as mild dysmenorrhoea (1-3 points), moderate dysmenorrhoea (4-7 points) and severe dysmenorrhoea (8-10 points).

  baseline assessment, in the menstrual assessment of the first, second, and third months, and in the follow-up (fourth month)

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Pressure Pain Threshold (Algometry)

  pre and post-intervention measurement in first month, pre and post-intervention measurement in the second month, pre and postintervention measurement in the third month, and in forth month (follow up)

• Abdominal Circumference (Circumferential Measurement)

  second day of menstruation in the first month (baseline), second day of menstruation in the second month, second day of menstruation in the third month, and second day of menstruation in the fourth month (follow-up)

• Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire.

  baseline assessment, post intervention in third month, and fourth month (follow-up)

• Health-Related Quality of Life (EQ-5D-5L)

  baseline assessment, post intervention in third month, and fourth month (follow-up)

• Dysmenorrhea Severity (WaLIDD Score)

  baseline assessment, post intervention in third month, and fourth month (follow-up)

Other Outcomes (7)

• Age

  baseline

• Characteristics of dysmenorrhoea. Regularity

  baseline

• Characteristics of dysmenorrhoea. Menarche

  baseline

Study Arms (1)

Manual Lymphatic Drainage Group

EXPERIMENTAL

All enrolled participants (N=20) will receive the intervention consisting of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) following the Vodder method. The treatment will be applied during the late luteal phase (5-7 days before menstruation) in three consecutive menstrual cycles. Each session will last approximately 30-45 minutes and will include preparatory maneuvers (terminus, solar plexus, inguinal chains) and abdominal drainage sequence. No control group is included in this pilot study.

Other: Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

Interventions

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) OTHER

This method, part of complex decongestive physiotherapy, involves gentle massage techniques that stimulate lymphatic circulation and venous return. Participants will receive three sessions of MLD during the late luteal phase (5-7 days before menstruation) over three consecutive menstrual cycles. Each session will last approximately 30-45 minutes and will follow the Vodder method, including preparatory maneuvers (terminus, solar plexus, inguinal chains) and abdominal drainage sequence. Frequency: One session per cycle for three months.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Female participants aged 18-25 years
• Confirmed diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea
• Regular menstrual cycles
• Ability to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Secondary dysmenorrhea
• Use of hormonal contraceptives
• Presence of pelvic pathology (endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, fibroids)
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Use of analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs within 12 hours prior to intervention
• Any therapy for dysmenorrhea in the previous month
• Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy
• Irregular menstrual cycles

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Camilo Jose Cela University: lead

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Massage; Therapy, Soft Tissue; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Drainage; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation

Study Officials

• Edurne Úbeda Docasar, Doctor

  University Camilo José Cela

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Edurne Úbeda Docasar, Doctor

CONTACT

918153131; eubeda@ucjc.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Doctor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 20, 2025
• First Posted: January 30, 2026
• Study Start: January 30, 2026
• Primary Completion: February 28, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Last Updated: February 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02