Primary DysmenorrheaNCT06990815
Immediate Effects of Kinesio Taping in Primary Dysmenorrhea
A study testing Kinesio Taping in people with Primary Dysmenorrhea, run by Okan University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Primary dysmenorrhea is characterized by recurrent, cramping lower abdominal pain during menstruation and affects approximately 50% to 90% of women. The etiology of primary dysmenorrhea involves the increased release of prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators, which cause uterine contractions and reduced blood… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 24 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Primary Dysmenorrhea
- What is being tested?
- Kinesio Taping
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 24 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 19 Aug 2023to 23 Dec 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 24 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Being a nulliparous woman aged between 18 and 24 years
- Having a diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea confirmed by a physician,
- Being literate
- Cooperating in completing the assessment scales
- Scoring one or above on the Weissman Scale
- Agreeing to participate in the study
- Having regular menstruation in the last 6 months
- Being willing and voluntary to participate in the research.
Who cannot join
- Having a diagnosis of secondary dysmenorrhea
- Using contraceptive pills
- Having a history of childbirth or pregnancy
- Having irregular menstrual cycles (menstrual cycle length less than 21 days or longer than 35 days)
- Having any pelvic pathology or history of pelvic surgery
- Having gastrointestinal, urogynecological, autoimmune, psychiatric, neurological diseases, or other chronic pain syndromes.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Immediate Effect of Kinesio Taping on Pain, Menstrual Symptoms, Fear of Movement, and Sleep Quality in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial
Primary dysmenorrhea is characterized by recurrent, cramping lower abdominal pain during menstruation and affects approximately 50% to 90% of women. The etiology of primary dysmenorrhea involves the increased release of prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators, which cause uterine contractions and reduced blood flow. In addition to pharmacological approaches, non-pharmacological methods also play an important role in the treatment of dysmenorrhea.
Kinesio taping helps relieve pain by reducing pressure on the muscle and supports treatment through various application techniques. It improves local circulation, reduces muscle tension, and alleviates symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea.
Read more
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of kinesio taping on pain, menstrual symptoms, fear of movement, and sleep quality in women with primary dysmenorrhea, and to compare the outcomes with those of a sham taping group.
The hypothesis is that kinesio taping will be more effective than sham taping in improving these parameters in women with primary dysmenorrhea.
- Conditions
- Primary Dysmenorrhea
- Being tested
- Kinesio Taping, Sham
- Keywords
- Kinesio Taping, Pain, Menstrual Symptoms, Fear of Movement, Sleep Quality
- Medical subject headings
- Pain, Kinesiophobia, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Kinesio TapingOther
In the application over the sacrum, one I-strip of kinesio tape will be applied with 25% tension using the fascia correction technique, which requires oscillatory movements between the tape and the skin.
In the application over the suprapubic region, two I-strips will be applied with 25% tension, also using the fascia correction technique, involving oscillations between the tape and the skin.
ShamOther
In the application over the sacrum, one I-strip will be applied without tension.
In the application over the suprapubic region, two I-strips will be placed without tension.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesio Taping Group | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Kinesio Taping |
| Sham Control Group | Sham comparator | Not described Receives: Other: Sham |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Visual Analog Scale
Pain will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale. On the Visual Analog Scale, a score of '0' indicates no pain, while '10' represents the most unbearable pain on a 10 cm horizontal line. It is a simple, practical, valid, reliable, and reproducible measurement tool.
Measured: 2 weeks
Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire
The Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ) was originally developed by Chesney and Tasto in 1975 to evaluate menstrual pain and related symptoms. Participants rate the severity of symptoms they experience during menstruation on a scale from 1 (never) to 5 (always).
In this scale:
Items 1-13 assess negative effects, Items 14-19 assess menstrual pain symptoms, and Items 20-22 assess coping methods. As the average score of each subscale increases, it indicates a higher severity of menstrual symptoms related to that subscale.
Measured: 2 weeks
Menstrual Attitude and Behavior Scale
The Menstrual Attitude and Behavior Scale will be used to assess individuals' attitudes and behaviors during the menstrual period. This scale, also known as the Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire, consists of 33 items divided into five subscales:
Menstruation as a debilitating event - 12 items Menstruation as a bothersome event - 6 items Menstruation as a natural event - 5 items Anticipation of the onset of menstruation - 5 items Denial of menstrual effects - 7 items Each subscale provides insight into specific attitudes and perceptions related to menstruation.
Measured: 2 weeks
Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia
Fear of movement will be assessed using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. The scale uses a 4-point Likert-type scoring system, and the total score ranges from 17 to 68.
Higher scores indicate a greater fear of movement.
Measured: 2 weeks
Richard Campbell Sleep Questionnaire
The Richard Campbell Sleep Questionnaire was developed by Richards in 1987 to assess sleep depth, time taken to fall asleep, number of awakenings, duration of wakefulness after sleep onset, sleep quality, and environmental noise level.
It consists of 6 items, each evaluated using a visual analog scale ranging from 0 to 100. A score between 0-25 indicates very poor sleep, while a score between 76-100 reflects very good sleep. The total score is calculated based on 5 items; the 6th item, which evaluates environmental noise level, is excluded from the total score. Higher total scores indicate better sleep quality.
Measured: 2 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 May 2025
- Study start19 Aug 2023
- Primary completion15 Dec 2023
- Study completion23 Dec 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Primary DysmenorrheaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 24 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Okan University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Emine Atıcı, Okan University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06990815
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 12.4.2023/6
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 17 May 2025
- Last updated
- 17 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Immediate Effect of Kinesio Taping on Pain, Menstrual Symptoms, Fear of Movement, and Sleep Quality in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06990815
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 12.4.2023/6
- Conditions
- Primary Dysmenorrhea
- Keywords
- Kinesio Taping, Pain, Menstrual Symptoms, Fear of Movement, Sleep Quality
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 24 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Okan UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 19 Aug 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Dec 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 23 Dec 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 25 May 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Primary dysmenorrhea is characterized by recurrent, cramping lower abdominal pain during menstruation and affects approximately 50% to 90% of women. The etiology of primary dysmenorrhea involves the increased release of prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators, which cause uterine contractions and reduced blood flow. In addition to pharmacological approaches, non-pharmacological methods also play an important role in the treatment of dysmenorrhea.
Kinesio taping helps relieve pain by reducing pressure on the muscle and supports treatment through various application techniques. It improves local circulation, reduces muscle tension, and alleviates symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea.
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of kinesio taping on pain, menstrual symptoms, fear of movement, and sleep quality in women with primary dysmenorrhea, and to compare the outcomes with those of a sham taping group.
The hypothesis is that kinesio taping will be more effective than sham taping in improving these parameters in women with primary dysmenorrhea.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesio Taping Group | Experimental | Other: Kinesio Taping |
| Sham Control Group | Sham comparator | Other: Sham |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 24 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Being a nulliparous woman aged between 18 and 24 years
- Having a diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea confirmed by a physician,
- Being literate
- Cooperating in completing the assessment scales
- Scoring one or above on the Weissman Scale
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Having a diagnosis of secondary dysmenorrhea
- Using contraceptive pills
- Having a history of childbirth or pregnancy
- Having irregular menstrual cycles (menstrual cycle length less than 21 days or longer than 35 days)
- Having any pelvic pathology or history of pelvic surgery
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesio TapingIn the application over the sacrum, one I-strip of kinesio tape will be applied with 25% tension using the fascia correction technique, which requires oscillatory movements between the tape and the skin. In the application over the suprapubic region, two I-strips will be applied with 25% tension, also using the fascia correction technique, involving oscillations between the tape and the skin. | Other | Kinesio Taping Group |
| ShamIn the application over the sacrum, one I-strip will be applied without tension. In the application over the suprapubic region, two I-strips will be placed without tension. | Other | Sham Control Group |
Primary outcome
Visual Analog Scale
Time frame: 2 weeks
Pain will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale. On the Visual Analog Scale, a score of '0' indicates no pain, while '10' represents the most unbearable pain on a 10 cm horizontal line. It is a simple, practical, valid, reliable, and reproducible measurement tool.
Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire
Time frame: 2 weeks
The Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ) was originally developed by Chesney and Tasto in 1975 to evaluate menstrual pain and related symptoms. Participants rate the severity of symptoms they experience during menstruation on a scale from 1 (never) to 5 (always). In this scale: Items 1-13 assess negative effects, Items 14-19 assess menstrual pain symptoms, and Items 20-22 assess coping methods. As the average score of each subscale increases, it indicates a higher severity of menstrual symptoms related to that subscale.
Menstrual Attitude and Behavior Scale
Time frame: 2 weeks
The Menstrual Attitude and Behavior Scale will be used to assess individuals' attitudes and behaviors during the menstrual period. This scale, also known as the Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire, consists of 33 items divided into five subscales: Menstruation as a debilitating event - 12 items Menstruation as a bothersome event - 6 items Menstruation as a natural event - 5 items Anticipation of the onset of menstruation - 5 items Denial of menstrual effects - 7 items Each subscale provides insight into specific attitudes and perceptions related to menstruation.
Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia
Time frame: 2 weeks
Fear of movement will be assessed using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. The scale uses a 4-point Likert-type scoring system, and the total score ranges from 17 to 68. Higher scores indicate a greater fear of movement.
Richard Campbell Sleep Questionnaire
Time frame: 2 weeks
The Richard Campbell Sleep Questionnaire was developed by Richards in 1987 to assess sleep depth, time taken to fall asleep, number of awakenings, duration of wakefulness after sleep onset, sleep quality, and environmental noise level. It consists of 6 items, each evaluated using a visual analog scale ranging from 0 to 100. A score between 0-25 indicates very poor sleep, while a score between 76-100 reflects very good sleep. The total score is calculated based on 5 items; the 6th item, which evaluates environmental noise level, is excluded from the total score. Higher total scores indicate better sleep quality.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 17 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Kinesio Taping in people with Primary Dysmenorrhea, run by Okan University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Visual Analog Scale (time frame: 2 weeks). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 17 Apr 2026.