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Primary DysmenorrheaTENS-DYSNCT07521553

TENS for Primary Dysmenorrhea

A study testing Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in people with Primary Dysmenorrhea and Menstrual Pain, run by Centro Universitario La Salle at 1 site in Spain.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological condition characterized by recurrent menstrual pain in the absence of pelvic pathology. It affects a large proportion of women of reproductive age and may significantly interfere with daily activities, academic performance, and quality of life. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 45 years, women only
Conditions the study is for
Primary Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Pain, Dysmenorrhea
What is being tested?
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
34 participants
Where
1 siteSpain
Study dates
1 Jun 2019to 20 Dec 2019
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 45 years
  • Women only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Women diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea
  • History of recurrent menstrual pain without identifiable pelvic pathology
  • Regular menstrual cycles
  • Age between 18 and 45 years old
  • Pain intensity of at least 4 on a 10-cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
  • Willingness to participate in the study and to comply with study procedures
  • Provision of written informed consent

Who cannot join

  • Secondary dysmenorrhea associated with identifiable pelvic pathology
  • Pregnancy
  • Irregular menstrual cycles
  • Use of hormonal contraceptives initiated or modified during the study period
  • Presence of gynecological or systemic conditions that could influence menstrual pain
  • Contraindications to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), such as pacemaker implantation or skin lesions at the electrode placement site
  • Inability to understand study procedures or complete study questionnaires

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Spain1 site
  • Universidad de Valencia

    Madrid

Other trials in Spain

About this study

Official title: Effect of Portable Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Pain Intensity in Women With Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological condition characterized by recurrent menstrual pain in the absence of pelvic pathology. It affects a large proportion of women of reproductive age and may significantly interfere with daily activities, academic performance, and quality of life. Although pharmacological treatments such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are frequently used to manage menstrual pain, some women experience insufficient relief or prefer non-pharmacological treatment options.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive electrotherapy technique widely used in pain management. TENS is thought to reduce pain through mechanisms including modulation of nociceptive transmission at the spinal cord level and activation of endogenous analgesic pathways. Portable TENS devices may provide a convenient and accessible option for self-management of menstrual pain.

Read more

The aim of this randomized controlled pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a portable TENS device in reducing pain intensity in women with primary dysmenorrhea. Participants diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea were randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving treatment with a portable TENS device or a control group receiving usual care.

The intervention consisted of the application of a portable TENS patch to the lower abdominal region during menstrual pain episodes. The device delivered alternating stimulation cycles combining high-frequency stimulation (85 Hz) and burst stimulation (2 Hz). Each treatment session lasted approximately 20 minutes and was applied during menstrual pain episodes.

Participants were followed for up to three menstrual cycles. Pain intensity was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Additional outcomes included quality of life assessed using the Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12), anxiety and depression measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), female sexual function evaluated with the Female Sexual Function questionnaire (FSM), and analgesic medication use recorded in a pain diary.

The results of this study aim to contribute to the evidence on non-pharmacological interventions for menstrual pain and to evaluate the potential role of portable TENS devices as a safe and accessible option for women with primary dysmenorrhea.

Read the detailed description

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological condition characterized by recurrent menstrual pain in the absence of identifiable pelvic pathology. It affects a substantial proportion of women of reproductive age and is frequently associated with symptoms such as abdominal cramps, low back pain, nausea, fatigue, and headache. The condition may negatively affect daily functioning, academic performance, and quality of life. Despite its high prevalence, many women continue to experience inadequate pain control or adverse effects from pharmacological treatments.

Menstrual pain in primary dysmenorrhea is primarily associated with increased production of prostaglandins in the endometrium during menstruation. Elevated prostaglandin levels increase uterine contractility and vasoconstriction, which can result in uterine ischemia and activation of nociceptive pathways. These mechanisms contribute to the characteristic cramping pain experienced during menstruation.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used as first-line pharmacological treatment because they inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. However, some women experience insufficient pain relief, contraindications, or adverse effects associated with pharmacological therapies. For this reason, there is growing interest in non-pharmacological approaches to the management of primary dysmenorrhea.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive electrotherapy modality widely used for pain management in various clinical conditions. TENS delivers low-voltage electrical currents through electrodes placed on the skin, stimulating peripheral nerves. The analgesic effect of TENS is thought to be mediated by several physiological mechanisms, including activation of large-diameter afferent fibers that inhibit nociceptive transmission at the spinal cord level (gate control mechanism), as well as activation of descending inhibitory pathways and endogenous opioid release.

Several studies have suggested that TENS may reduce pain intensity in women with primary dysmenorrhea. In addition, portable TENS devices allow self-administration of therapy and may represent a convenient and accessible strategy for managing menstrual pain outside of clinical settings.

The aim of this randomized controlled pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a portable transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device in reducing pain intensity in women with primary dysmenorrhea.

Participants diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea were recruited and randomly allocated to one of two groups: an intervention group receiving portable TENS therapy or a control group receiving usual care. Randomization was performed using a simple allocation procedure to assign participants to either group.

Participants in the intervention group used a portable TENS device applied to the lower abdominal region during menstrual pain episodes. The device delivered alternating stimulation cycles combining high-frequency stimulation (85 Hz) and burst stimulation (2 Hz). This combination of stimulation parameters was selected to potentially activate both segmental analgesic mechanisms and endogenous opioid-mediated pathways.

Each treatment session lasted approximately 20 minutes and was applied during menstrual pain episodes. Participants were instructed on the correct placement and use of the device before beginning the study.

Participants in the control group continued their usual management strategies for menstrual pain, which typically consisted of analgesic medication taken as needed.

The study was conducted over two to three menstrual cycles. During this period, participants recorded their pain intensity and medication use. Pain intensity was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS), which is a widely used and validated tool for measuring subjective pain intensity.

Additional outcomes were assessed to explore the potential broader effects of the intervention. Quality of life was evaluated using the Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12). Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Female sexual function was evaluated using a validated questionnaire. Analgesic medication use was also recorded during the study period.

Data collected during the study were analyzed to compare pain intensity and other outcomes between the intervention and control groups across menstrual cycles. The results of this study are intended to contribute to the evidence regarding the effectiveness of portable TENS devices as a non-pharmacological intervention for primary dysmenorrhea.

The findings may help inform future research and support the development of non-invasive strategies to improve pain management and quality of life in women experiencing menstrual pain.

Being tested
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
Keywords
Primary Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Pain, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, Non-Pharmacological Treatment, Pain Management, Women's Health
Medical subject headings
Dysmenorrhea, Agnosia

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)Device

    Participants received treatment with a portable transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device applied to the lower abdominal region during episodes of menstrual pain. The device delivered alternating stimulation cycles combining high-frequency stimulation (85 Hz) and burst stimulation (2 Hz). Each session lasted approximately 20 minutes, with stimulation intensity adjusted individually to a strong but comfortable sensory level. The intervention was self-administered during menstrual pain episodes across up to three consecutive menstrual cycles.

Study groups in NCT07521553
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
TENS Intervention GroupExperimentalPortable transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device applied to the lower abdominal region during menstrual pain episodes. The device delivered alternating cycles of high-frequency stimulation (85 Hz) and burst stimulation (2 Hz). Each session lasted approximately 20 minutes, with intensity adjusted to a strong but comfortable sensory level.
Receives: Device: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
Usual care control groupNo interventionParticipants continued their usual care during menstrual pain episodes, including the use of analgesic medication if needed.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Pain intensity measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

    Pain intensity associated with primary dysmenorrhea measured using a 10-cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), where 0 represents no pain and 10 represents the worst pain imaginable.

    Measured: Measured at the end of each menstrual cycle (each cycle is approximately 28 days), up to 3 cycles

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Health-related quality of life measured using the Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12)

    Health-related quality of life assessed using the Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12), which evaluates physical and mental health components. Higher scores indicate better perceived health status.

    Measured: Measured at the end of each menstrual cycle (each cycle is approximately 28 days), up to 3 cycles

  2. Anxiety and depression assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)

    Psychological symptoms assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), a validated questionnaire composed of two subscales measuring anxiety and depressive symptoms. Higher scores indicate greater levels of anxiety or depression.

    Measured: Measured at the end of each menstrual cycle (each cycle is approximately 28 days), up to 3 cycles

  3. Female sexual function assessed using the Female Sexual Function questionnaire (FSM)

    Female sexual function assessed using the Female Sexual Function questionnaire (FSM), a validated instrument evaluating domains such as desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain during sexual activity.

    Measured: Measured at the end of each menstrual cycle (each cycle is approximately 28 days), up to 3 cycles

  4. Analgesic medication use recorded during menstrual pain episodes

    Use of analgesic medication recorded in a pain diary during menstrual pain episodes to monitor the need for pharmacological pain management.

    Measured: Measured at the end of each menstrual cycle (each cycle is approximately 28 days), up to 3 cycles

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted13 Apr 2026
  2. Study start1 Jun 2019
  3. Primary completion1 Nov 2019
  4. Study completion20 Dec 2019

Resources

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
Model description
Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either an intervention group receiving transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) or a control group receiving usual care. The study used a parallel assignment design, with no crossover between groups. Participants remained in their allocated group throughout the study period. Outcomes were measured longitudinally at the end of each menstrual cycle (approximately 28 days per cycle), for up to three consecutive cycles.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
34 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07521553
Sponsor's protocol ID
CSEULS-PI-025/2019
Acronym
TENS-DYS
Status last verified
Apr 2026
First submitted
7 Mar 2026
Last updated
13 Apr 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be made publicly available because the dataset contains sensitive health-related information and there is no established data-sharing plan for this study. Aggregate results will be reported in scientific publications.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in people with Primary Dysmenorrhea and Menstrual Pain, run by Centro Universitario La Salle at 1 site in Spain.

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 7 inclusion and 7 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 13 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 Spain. 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?

Pain intensity measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) (time frame: Measured at the end of each menstrual cycle (each cycle is approximately 28 days), up to 3 cycles). 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 13 Apr 2026.

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