Find Premenstrual Syndrome Clinical Trials Near You
Effects of Self-Acupressure on Primary Dysmenorrhea and Premenstrual Symptoms in Women Aged 18-30: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled, 6-Month Trial
Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Other
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY
This randomized, sham-controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of self-administered acupressure on menstrual pain severity and premenstrual symptoms in women aged 18-30 years with primary dysmenorrhea. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a self-acupressure intervention group or a sham self-acupressure control group. The intervention will be applied during the premenstrual and menstrual periods over approximately six months. The primary outcome is the change in menstrual pain severity, and secondary outcomes include changes in premenstrual symptom severity, analgesic use, and menstruation-related activity limitation.
Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: Female
Minimum Age: 18
Maximum Age: 30
Healthy Volunteers: t
View:
• Female participants aged 18 to 30 years
• Regular menstrual cycles (21-35 days)
• Diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea with moderate to severe menstrual pain
• Presence of premenstrual symptoms consistent with premenstrual syndrome
• Currently enrolled as a university student
• Willingness to perform self-acupressure as instructed for approximately six menstrual cycles
• Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent
Locations
Other Locations
Turkey
Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University Hospital
RECRUITING
Niğde
Contact Information
Primary
Pınar Erdoğan, Assoc. Prof.
drpinarerdogan@gmail.com
+905233646954
Time Frame
Start Date:2026-02-15
Estimated Completion Date:2026-08-15
Participants
Target number of participants:120
Treatments
Experimental: Self-Acupressure Intervention
Participants receive structured training in self-administered acupressure at predefined acupoints (SP6, CV4, ST36, and LV3). Participants are instructed to apply acupressure using moderate, comfortable, non-painful pressure during the premenstrual phase and the first days of menstruation for approximately six consecutive menstrual cycles. The intervention is performed according to the study protocol in addition to usual care.
Sham_comparator: Sham Self-Acupressure
Participants receive structured training in sham self-acupressure matched to the experimental intervention in terms of training format, session duration, frequency, and pressure intensity. Sham acupressure is applied at non-acupoint locations adjacent to the same anatomical regions as the experimental points, using moderate, comfortable, non-painful pressure during the premenstrual phase and the first days of menstruation for approximately six consecutive menstrual cycles.