Connective Tissue Massage and Music-Based Progressive Muscle Relaxation in Primary Dysmenorrhea

Summary

This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to investigate the effects of Connective Tissue Massage (CTM) and music-based Progressive Muscle Relaxation Training (PMRT) on pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, analgesic use, and menstruation-related symptoms in women with primary dysmenorrhea. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: CTM, music-based PMRT, or control. Baseline assessment will be conducted during menstrual days 1-2 of Cycle 0. The interventions will be applied during the premenstrual intervention window of Cycle 0, from the estimated ovulation day, calculated as cycle length minus 14 days, until Cycle 1 Day 1. Post-intervention assessment will be conducted during menstrual days 1-2 of Cycle 1. No intervention will be applied after the post-intervention assessment, and follow-up assessment will be conducted during menstrual days 1-2 of Cycle 2. Outcomes including pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, analgesic use, menstrual symptoms, attitudes toward menstruation, functional and emotional impact of dysmenorrhea, and pain catastrophizing will be evaluated across menstrual cycles. Participant satisfaction and adherence to the interventions will also be assessed.

Conditions

• Primary Dysmenorrhea

Interventions

OTHER

Connective Tissue Massage

Connective tissue manipulation will be applied to the sacrolumbar, lower thoracic, abdominal, and anterior pelvic regions. The intervention will be performed five days per week during the Cycle 0 premenstrual intervention window, from the estimated ovulation day, calculated as cycle length minus 14 days, until Cycle 1 Day 1. Each session will last approximately 10-15 minutes.

OTHER

Music-based Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Participants will receive music-based Progressive Muscle Relaxation Training (PMRT) using recordings from the Turkish Psychological Association's Relaxation Exercises CD. At the beginning of the study, participants will be informed face-to-face about the purpose, procedure, and breathing techniques of PMRT, and the first session will be conducted in person. Thereafter, PMRT sessions will be performed using the approved audio recordings. The intervention will be performed five days per week during the Cycle 0 premenstrual intervention window, from the estimated ovulation day, calculated as cycle length minus 14 days, until Cycle 1 Day 1. Each session will last approximately 20-30 minutes.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey

  collaborator OTHER

• Pamukkale University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

30 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-06-22

Primary Completion

2026-10-30

Completion

2026-11-15

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations