PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEANCT07658859
Emotional Freedom Techniques in Nursing Students With Primary Dysmenorrhea
A study testing EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUES (EFT) in people with PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA, run by Ataturk University.
Trial summary
This study will examine whether Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) can reduce pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, and functional-emotional impact in nursing students with primary dysmenorrhea. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA
- What is being tested?
- EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUES (EFT)
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 92 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 19 Jun 2026to 19 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 years and older
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Being enrolled in a nursing program,
- Being 18 years of age or older
- Having had a regular menstrual cycle within the last six months
- Experiencing primary dysmenorrhea during the last three menstrual cycles
- Reporting moderate to severe pain according to the Visual Analog Scale (VAS: 4-10)
- Voluntary participation in the study
- Providing written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Having a diagnosed gynecological disease that may cause secondary dysmenorrhea (endometriosis, adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, etc.)
- Having chronic pain syndrome
- Receiving regular treatment or taking psychiatric medication due to a psychiatric diagnosis
- Applying another pharmacological or non-pharmacological intervention that may affect pain perception during the research process,
- Taking the course Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health Nursing • Receiving/having received emotional freedom technique training,
- Having previously received training in this technique or regularly using it
Show all 10Show fewer
- Having a cognitive or sensory problem that prevents communication or completing data collection forms
- Not completing the application protocol
- Incomplete completion of data collection forms
- Wishing to withdraw from the research
About this study
Official title: Effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques on Pain Intensity, Pain Catastrophizing, and Functional-Emotional Impact in Nursing Students With Primary Dysmenorrhea
This study will examine whether Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) can reduce pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, and functional-emotional impact in nursing students with primary dysmenorrhea. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive EFT-based support, and the control group will continue their usual coping practices. Study outcomes will be measured before the intervention, after the intervention, and at follow-up. This study may provide evidence for a safe, non-pharmacological approach to support students with primary dysmenorrhea.
- Conditions
- PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA
- Being tested
- EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUES (EFT)
- Keywords
- PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA, EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUES, NURSING STUDENTS
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUES (EFT)Behavioural
The intervention consists of a structured Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)-based nursing intervention designed for nursing students with primary dysmenorrhea. It includes an individual preparation and education session conducted 5-7 days before the expected menstruation, during which pain-related thoughts, emotions, and bodily awareness are identified and individualized setup statements are developed. A guided EFT session is then conducted on the first day of menstrual pain. During this session, participants focus on dysmenorrhea-related distress while repeating the individualized setup statements and following the structured EFT sequence under researcher guidance. Pain intensity and subjective distress are assessed before and after the guided session. Participants are also advised to repeat the EFT self-application 1-2 times on the same day.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental Group | Experimental | Participants in the experimental group will receive a structured Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)-based nursing intervention. The intervention will include an individual preparation and education session 5-7 days before the expected menstruation, followed by a guided EFT session on the first day of menstrual pain. Participants will also be encouraged to perform self-application 1-2 times on the same day. Receives: Behavioral: EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUES (EFT) |
| Control Grup | No intervention | Participants in the control group will not receive the EFT-based nursing intervention during the study period and will continue their usual coping methods for menstrual pain without any additional structured support. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Intensity
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Participants will rate the most severe menstrual pain experienced during the relevant menstrual cycle on a 0-10 scale, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain.
Measured: Baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1; 2-3 days after the end of menstrual bleeding in the intervention cycle), and follow-up (T2; 2-3 days after the end of menstrual bleeding in the next menstrual cycle)
Pain Catastrophizing
Pain catastrophizing will be assessed using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Total scores range from 0 to 52. Higher scores indicate greater pain catastrophizing and therefore a worse outcome.
Measured: Baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1; 2-3 days after the end of menstrual bleeding in the intervention cycle), and follow-up (T2; 2-3 days after the end of menstrual bleeding in the next menstrual cycle)
Functional-Emotional Impact
Functional-emotional impact will be assessed using the Functional and Emotional Dysmenorrhea Scale (FEDS). Total scores range from 14 to 70. Higher scores indicate greater functional and emotional impact of dysmenorrhea and therefore a worse outcome.
Measured: Baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1; 2-3 days after the end of menstrual bleeding in the intervention cycle), and follow-up (T2; 2-3 days after the end of menstrual bleeding in the next menstrual cycle)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Jun 2026
- Study start19 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion19 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion19 Dec 2026 (estimated)
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 Ataturk 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
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 92 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ataturk University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Nisa Nur Demirtaş, Ataturk University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07658859
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- B.30.2.ATA.0.01.00/252
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 12 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 22 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- 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 22 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques on Pain Intensity, Pain Catastrophizing, and Functional-Emotional Impact in Nursing Students With Primary Dysmenorrhea
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07658859
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- B.30.2.ATA.0.01.00/252
- Conditions
- PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA
- Keywords
- PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA, EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUES, NURSING STUDENTS
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 92 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Ataturk UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 19 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 19 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 19 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 22 Jun 2026 (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.
This study will examine whether Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) can reduce pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, and functional-emotional impact in nursing students with primary dysmenorrhea. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive EFT-based support, and the control group will continue their usual coping practices. Study outcomes will be measured before the intervention, after the intervention, and at follow-up. This study may provide evidence for a safe, non-pharmacological approach to support students with primary dysmenorrhea.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental Group | Experimental | Behavioral: EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUES (EFT)Participants in the experimental group will receive a structured Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)-based nursing intervention. The intervention will include an individual preparation and education session 5-7 days before the expected menstruation, followed by a guided EFT session on the first day of menstrual pain. Participants will also be encouraged to perform self-application 1-2 times on the same day. |
| Control Grup | No intervention | –Participants in the control group will not receive the EFT-based nursing intervention during the study period and will continue their usual coping methods for menstrual pain without any additional structured support. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Being enrolled in a nursing program,
- Being 18 years of age or older
- Having had a regular menstrual cycle within the last six months
- Experiencing primary dysmenorrhea during the last three menstrual cycles
- Reporting moderate to severe pain according to the Visual Analog Scale (VAS: 4-10)
Key exclusion criteria (10 listed)
- Having a diagnosed gynecological disease that may cause secondary dysmenorrhea (endometriosis, adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, etc.)
- Having chronic pain syndrome
- Receiving regular treatment or taking psychiatric medication due to a psychiatric diagnosis
- Applying another pharmacological or non-pharmacological intervention that may affect pain perception during the research process,
- Taking the course Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health Nursing • Receiving/having received emotional freedom technique training,
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 |
|---|---|---|
| EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUES (EFT)The intervention consists of a structured Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)-based nursing intervention designed for nursing students with primary dysmenorrhea. It includes an individual preparation and education session conducted 5-7 days before the expected menstruation, during which pain-related thoughts, emotions, and bodily awareness are identified and individualized setup statements are developed. A guided EFT session is then conducted on the first day of menstrual pain. During this session, participants focus on dysmenorrhea-related distress while repeating the individualized setup statements and following the structured EFT sequence under researcher guidance. Pain intensity and subjective distress are assessed before and after the guided session. Participants are also advised to repeat the EFT self-application 1-2 times on the same day. | Behavioural | Experimental Group |
Primary outcome
Pain Intensity
Time frame: Baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1; 2-3 days after the end of menstrual bleeding in the intervention cycle), and follow-up (T2; 2-3 days after the end of menstrual bleeding in the next menstrual cycle)
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Participants will rate the most severe menstrual pain experienced during the relevant menstrual cycle on a 0-10 scale, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain.
Pain Catastrophizing
Time frame: Baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1; 2-3 days after the end of menstrual bleeding in the intervention cycle), and follow-up (T2; 2-3 days after the end of menstrual bleeding in the next menstrual cycle)
Pain catastrophizing will be assessed using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Total scores range from 0 to 52. Higher scores indicate greater pain catastrophizing and therefore a worse outcome.
Functional-Emotional Impact
Time frame: Baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1; 2-3 days after the end of menstrual bleeding in the intervention cycle), and follow-up (T2; 2-3 days after the end of menstrual bleeding in the next menstrual cycle)
Functional-emotional impact will be assessed using the Functional and Emotional Dysmenorrhea Scale (FEDS). Total scores range from 14 to 70. Higher scores indicate greater functional and emotional impact of dysmenorrhea and therefore a worse outcome.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 22 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA
Not yet recruiting
Radiofrequency and Pelvic Floor Exercise for Primary Dysmenorrhea
Primary Dysmenorrhea
Not yet recruiting
Transcutaneous Cervical Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Primary Dysmenorrhea
Primary Dysmenorrhea (PD), Menstrual Pain
Recruiting
The Effect of Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach and Yoga in Adolescents With Dysmenorrhoea
Dysmenorrhea, Primary Dysmenorrhea
Not yet recruiting
The Effect of Hydrogen-Rich Water on Dysmenorrhea and Menstrual Symptom Severity
Dysmenorrhea Primary
Not yet recruiting
Effect of Virtual Reality on Pain and Anxiety in Women With Dysmenorrhea
Primary Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Pain
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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUES (EFT) in people with PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA, run by Ataturk University.
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 10 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
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 (time frame: Baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1; 2-3 days after the end of menstrual bleeding in the intervention cycle), and follow-up (T2; 2-3 days after the end of menstrual bleeding in the next menstrual cycle)). 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 22 Jun 2026.