Primary DysmenorrheaNCT07145424
The Therapeutic Role of Kinesio Taping in Primary Dysmenorrhea
A study testing kinesio taping group in people with Primary Dysmenorrhea and Pain Management, run by Aydin Adnan Menderes University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Purpose: Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common causes of disability in women's health worldwide. It affects women's daily activities and negatively affects their social life. It increases healthcare costs and constitutes a significant burden for both women and society. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Primary Dysmenorrhea, Pain Management
- What is being tested?
- kinesio taping group
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 36 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Mar 2018to 1 May 2022
- 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 30 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Being between the ages of 18-30
- No hormonal contraception or intrauterine devices in the last 3 months
- Regular menstruation (every 21-35 days) for the last 6 months
- Pain score of 5 or more according to VAS.
Who cannot join
- Gynecological diseases
- Chronic systemic diseases
- Pregnancy or multiparousus
- Psychotherapeutic medications
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Aydın Adnan Menderes University
Aydin, Efeler, 09200
About this study
Official title: The Therapeutic Role of Kinesio Taping in Primary Dysmenorrhea: Reducing Pain and Enhancing Functionality: A Randomized Controlled Study
Purpose: Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common causes of disability in women's health worldwide. It affects women's daily activities and negatively affects their social life. It increases healthcare costs and constitutes a significant burden for both women and society. Therefore, interventions to improve dysmenorrhea are needed. The aim of the study is to examine the effect of kinesio taping (KT) intervention on pain, muscle strength, functional disability, physical activity level, and quality of life.
Methods: Participants with primary dysmenorrhea were divided into kinesio taping (KT) and control (C) groups. The KT group underwent consecutive taping for 12 days starting from the premenstrual week. Trunk muscle strength evaluation, visual analogue scale (VAS), the pressure pain threshold, menstrual distress questionnaire (MDQ), SF-36 quality of life scale, Oswestry disability index (ODI), international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) were used as outcome measures.
Read the detailed description
Dysmenorrhea is a prevalent and commonly experienced menstrual issue, characterized by pain that typically starts a day prior to menstruation and persists for 2-3 days, adversely impacting the individual's quality of life and hindering their ability to work and study . Dysmenorrhea can be categorized into two main types: primary and secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea refers to the occurrence of menstrual pain without any identifiable underlying anatomical or physiological abnormalities. In contrast, secondary dysmenorrhea is associated with an identifiable anatomical or physiological condition that contributes to the menstrual discomfort. Prior research has found the prevalence of dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls to be as high as 90.0%, while studies within the local context have reported a range of 34.0% to 89.6% . Given the high prevalence of dysmenorrhea, effective management strategies are crucial. Physiotherapy modalities are also among the non-pharmacological approaches frequently used to manage dysmenorrhea. These interventions include electrotherapy, massage, and taping techniques. The impact of kinesio taping on primary dysmenorrhea has been a subject of research. The Kinesio tape, which shares characteristics similar to human skin and is also breathable, smooth, hypoallergenic, able to remain affixed to the target tissue for 3-5 days, and does not impede movement . It is commonly used to reduce pain, modulate muscle function, influence joint positioning, enhance blood flow, and augment proprioceptive feedback . In a comparative analysis of the impacts of kinesio taping versus connective tissue massage interventions on pain and quality of life in individuals with primary dysmenorrhea, it is observed that despite a notable improvement in pain intensity and generally favorable outcomes associated with kinesio taping administered over three menstrual cycles, connective tissue massage demonstrates a more pronounced improvement. The levels of anxiety experienced by participants and their perceptions regarding menstruation were not influenced . In another study in premenstrual syndrome, the efficacy of kinesio taping and thermal application was analyzed by employing the Menstrual Distress Complaint List.The results demonstrated a significant improvement in symptomatic alleviation when these two methods were utilized together. Kinesio taping was recommended for use in premenstrual syndrome as an easy and non pharmacological application. In a separate study comparing the effects of kinesio taping and spiral taping on menstrual pain and premenstrual syndrome, participants underwent the intervention six times, specifically 14 days prior to the beginning of their menstrual cycle. The results revealed that kinesio taping was effective in menstrual pain, while spiral taping was effective in both menstrual pain and premenstrual syndrome. A comprehensive review of the current literature reveals a notable deficiency of empirical research exploring the effects of kinesio taping on primary dysmenorrhea, both within national boundaries and on an international scale. The most frequently evaluated parameters in these studies are pain intensity and menstrual complaint list, however, these studies fail to examine the influence of dysmenorrhea on functional status. Considering this identified gap, the present study aimed to evaluate the influence of Kinesio tape on dysmenorrhea by conducting supplementary assessments, including abdominal and lumbar muscle strength, the degree of functional disability, levels of physical activity, and quality of life metrics.
- Conditions
- Primary Dysmenorrhea, Pain Management
- Being tested
- kinesio taping group
- Keywords
- dysmenorrhea, quality of life, rehabilitation, pain
- Medical subject headings
- Agnosia, Dysmenorrhea, Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
kinesio taping groupOther
The original Kinesio Tape (Kinesio Tex Classic Tape) was used for taping by a physiotherapist with 15 years of experience in the field. The tape was cut into an I-shape and applied to the lower abdominal and lumbo-sacral regions where the participants experienced pain, 10 days prior to the anticipated start of menstruation (Figure 2). The tapes were renewed after four days. This procedure was performed three times and the total taping period was completed as 12 days. The tapes were removed on the third day of menstruation and all outcome measurements were performed again for the post intervention measurements
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| kinesio taping group | Experimental | kinesio taping was applied to the KT group taping was initiated during the participants' second menstrual cycle Receives: Other: kinesio taping group |
| control | No intervention | This group only received assessments. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Visual analogue scale
The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the intensity of menstrual pain experienced by participants.It is a valid, reliable, and easily understandable scale that has been employed in research to assess the severity of primary dysmenorrhea. VAS is widely recognized as the most common quantitative measure for assessing the intensity of pain, where "0" represents no pain and "10" represents the most severe pain experienced .
Measured: from baseline to 4th week
Pressure pain threshold assessment
Trigger points, whether active or latent, can contribute to increased muscle tension and subsequently lead to musculoskeletal pain. The pressure pain threshold at trigger points in the lumbar region was assessed using an analog algometer. Participants were instructed to indicate when they first experienced pain, and the corresponding pressure value was documented .
Measured: from baseline to 4th week
Muscle strength measurement
A handheld dynamometer (Lafayette Instrument Company, Lafayette®, Lafayette, LA, USA) was used to evaluate the maximal muscle strength of the trunk muscles. This device represents a cost-effective and portable tool for assessing muscular strength, which is commonly employed in clinical settings due to its high reliability and validity relative to more sophisticated laboratory-based dynamometers. Participants were instructed to exert maximum muscle force against the fixed dynamometer held by the therapist, and their strength was measured. To assess trunk flexor strength, participants were positioned in supine with knees slightly bent, arms at their sides, and head in neutral. The dynamometer was placed on the midpoint of the sternum, and participants were asked to lift their scapulae from the floor. Trunk extensor strength was evaluated with participants in the prone position.
Measured: from baseline to 4th week
Secondary outcomes (4)
Menstrual distress questionnaire (MDQ)
The MDQ was used to evaluate participants' menstrual-related complaints and experiences during the premenstrual, menstrual and intermenstrual phases. This valid and reliable tool consists of a list of 47 symptoms divided into 8 sub-symptom groups: pain, water retention, autonomic reaction, negative affect, concentration, behavior change, arousal, and control. Complaints are scored on a 5-point scale from 0 (no symptoms) to 4 (very severe)
Measured: from baseline to 4th week
SF-36 quality of life scale
The SF-36 instrument was employed to evaluate the quality of life. The last 4 weeks are taken into consideration in the assessment. This scale consists of 36 items that evaluate eight distinct dimensions: physical functioning, social functioning, role limitations due to physical concerns, role limitations due to emotional difficulties, mental health, energy/vitality, pain, and overall health perception. The subscales assess health on a scale of 0-100, with 0 indicating poor health status and 100 indicating good health status
Measured: from baseline to 4th week
Oswestry disability index
The Oswestry Disability Index (also known as the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire) is an extremely important tool that researchers and disability evaluators use to measure a patient's permanent functional disability. The test is considered the 'gold standard' of low back functional outcome tools.For each section the total possible score is 5: if the first statement is marked the section score = 0; if the last statement is marked, it = 5. Interpretation of scores are;0% to 20% minimal disability,21%-40% moderate disability, 41%-60% severe disability, and above %60 means back pain impinges on all aspects of the patient's life.
Measured: from baseline to 4th week
International physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ)
IPAQ was used to determine the physical activity levels of the participants. IPAQ is a validated and reliable instrument employed to gather valid and comparable data on physical activity levels based on individuals' self-reports of their daily physical activities. The questionnaire inquires about the time spent engaged in physical activities over the past 7 days. Individual's activity level is categorized as low, moderate, high.
Measured: From baseline to 4th week
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 Aug 2025
- Study start1 Mar 2018
- Primary completion1 May 2022
- Study completion1 May 2022
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.
- More trials run by Aydin Adnan Menderes UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Aydin Adnan Menderes University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, özge ece günaydın, Aydin Adnan Menderes University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07145424
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- ADU-FTR-EG-02
- Status last verified
- Aug 2025
- First submitted
- 19 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 28 Aug 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Aug 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Therapeutic Role of Kinesio Taping in Primary Dysmenorrhea: Reducing Pain and Enhancing Functionality: A Randomized Controlled Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07145424
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ADU-FTR-EG-02
- Conditions
- Primary Dysmenorrhea, Pain Management
- Keywords
- dysmenorrhea, quality of life, rehabilitation, pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Aydin Adnan Menderes UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Mar 2018 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 May 2022 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 May 2022 (actual)
- First posted
- 28 Aug 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.
Purpose: Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common causes of disability in women's health worldwide. It affects women's daily activities and negatively affects their social life. It increases healthcare costs and constitutes a significant burden for both women and society. Therefore, interventions to improve dysmenorrhea are needed. The aim of the study is to examine the effect of kinesio taping (KT) intervention on pain, muscle strength, functional disability, physical activity level, and quality of life.
Methods: Participants with primary dysmenorrhea were divided into kinesio taping (KT) and control (C) groups. The KT group underwent consecutive taping for 12 days starting from the premenstrual week. Trunk muscle strength evaluation, visual analogue scale (VAS), the pressure pain threshold, menstrual distress questionnaire (MDQ), SF-36 quality of life scale, Oswestry disability index (ODI), international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) were used as outcome measures.
Detailed description
Dysmenorrhea is a prevalent and commonly experienced menstrual issue, characterized by pain that typically starts a day prior to menstruation and persists for 2-3 days, adversely impacting the individual's quality of life and hindering their ability to work and study . Dysmenorrhea can be categorized into two main types: primary and secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea refers to the occurrence of menstrual pain without any identifiable underlying anatomical or physiological abnormalities. In contrast, secondary dysmenorrhea is associated with an identifiable anatomical or physiological condition that contributes to the menstrual discomfort. Prior research has found the prevalence of dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls to be as high as 90.0%, while studies within the local context have reported a range of 34.0% to 89.6% . Given the high prevalence of dysmenorrhea, effective management strategies are crucial. Physiotherapy modalities are also among the non-pharmacological approaches frequently used to manage dysmenorrhea. These interventions include electrotherapy, massage, and taping techniques. The impact of kinesio taping on primary dysmenorrhea has been a subject of research. The Kinesio tape, which shares characteristics similar to human skin and is also breathable, smooth, hypoallergenic, able to remain affixed to the target tissue for 3-5 days, and does not impede movement . It is commonly used to reduce pain, modulate muscle function, influence joint positioning, enhance blood flow, and augment proprioceptive feedback . In a comparative analysis of the impacts of kinesio taping versus connective tissue massage interventions on pain and quality of life in individuals with primary dysmenorrhea, it is observed that despite a notable improvement in pain intensity and generally favorable outcomes associated with kinesio taping administered over three menstrual cycles, connective tissue massage demonstrates a more pronounced improvement. The levels of anxiety experienced by participants and their perceptions regarding menstruation were not influenced . In another study in premenstrual syndrome, the efficacy of kinesio taping and thermal application was analyzed by employing the Menstrual Distress Complaint List.The results demonstrated a significant improvement in symptomatic alleviation when these two methods were utilized together. Kinesio taping was recommended for use in premenstrual syndrome as an easy and non pharmacological application. In a separate study comparing the effects of kinesio taping and spiral taping on menstrual pain and premenstrual syndrome, participants underwent the intervention six times, specifically 14 days prior to the beginning of their menstrual cycle. The results revealed that kinesio taping was effective in menstrual pain, while spiral taping was effective in both menstrual pain and premenstrual syndrome. A comprehensive review of the current literature reveals a notable deficiency of empirical research exploring the effects of kinesio taping on primary dysmenorrhea, both within national boundaries and on an international scale. The most frequently evaluated parameters in these studies are pain intensity and menstrual complaint list, however, these studies fail to examine the influence of dysmenorrhea on functional status. Considering this identified gap, the present study aimed to evaluate the influence of Kinesio tape on dysmenorrhea by conducting supplementary assessments, including abdominal and lumbar muscle strength, the degree of functional disability, levels of physical activity, and quality of life metrics.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| kinesio taping group | Experimental | Other: kinesio taping groupkinesio taping was applied to the KT group taping was initiated during the participants' second menstrual cycle |
| control | No intervention | –This group only received assessments. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Being between the ages of 18-30
- No hormonal contraception or intrauterine devices in the last 3 months
- Regular menstruation (every 21-35 days) for the last 6 months
- Pain score of 5 or more according to VAS.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Gynecological diseases
- Chronic systemic diseases
- Pregnancy or multiparousus
- Psychotherapeutic medications
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 taping groupThe original Kinesio Tape (Kinesio Tex Classic Tape) was used for taping by a physiotherapist with 15 years of experience in the field. The tape was cut into an I-shape and applied to the lower abdominal and lumbo-sacral regions where the participants experienced pain, 10 days prior to the anticipated start of menstruation (Figure 2). The tapes were renewed after four days. This procedure was performed three times and the total taping period was completed as 12 days. The tapes were removed on the third day of menstruation and all outcome measurements were performed again for the post intervention measurements | Other | kinesio taping group |
Primary outcome
Visual analogue scale
Time frame: from baseline to 4th week
The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the intensity of menstrual pain experienced by participants.It is a valid, reliable, and easily understandable scale that has been employed in research to assess the severity of primary dysmenorrhea. VAS is widely recognized as the most common quantitative measure for assessing the intensity of pain, where "0" represents no pain and "10" represents the most severe pain experienced .
Pressure pain threshold assessment
Time frame: from baseline to 4th week
Trigger points, whether active or latent, can contribute to increased muscle tension and subsequently lead to musculoskeletal pain. The pressure pain threshold at trigger points in the lumbar region was assessed using an analog algometer. Participants were instructed to indicate when they first experienced pain, and the corresponding pressure value was documented .
Muscle strength measurement
Time frame: from baseline to 4th week
A handheld dynamometer (Lafayette Instrument Company, Lafayette®, Lafayette, LA, USA) was used to evaluate the maximal muscle strength of the trunk muscles. This device represents a cost-effective and portable tool for assessing muscular strength, which is commonly employed in clinical settings due to its high reliability and validity relative to more sophisticated laboratory-based dynamometers. Participants were instructed to exert maximum muscle force against the fixed dynamometer held by the therapist, and their strength was measured. To assess trunk flexor strength, participants were positioned in supine with knees slightly bent, arms at their sides, and head in neutral. The dynamometer was placed on the midpoint of the sternum, and participants were asked to lift their scapulae from the floor. Trunk extensor strength was evaluated with participants in the prone position.
4 secondary outcomes
Menstrual distress questionnaire (MDQ)
Time frame: from baseline to 4th week
SF-36 quality of life scale
Time frame: from baseline to 4th week
Oswestry disability index
Time frame: from baseline to 4th week
International physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ)
Time frame: From baseline to 4th week
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 28 Aug 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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 group in people with Primary Dysmenorrhea and Pain Management, run by Aydin Adnan Menderes 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 4 inclusion and 4 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 28 Aug 2025. 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. 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 analogue scale (time frame: from baseline to 4th week). The study lists 3 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 28 Aug 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.