Pain-related learning and memory processes in women with endometriosis

Pain-related learning and memory processes in women with endometriosis - ENDOLEARN

Status

Recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

DRKS

Registry ID

DRKS00033676

Enrollment

100

Registered

2024-02-26

Start date

2024-04-15

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2025-04-07

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

N80

Interventions

Group 1: Women with confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis, clinical interview to characterize somatic complaints Determination of pain thresholds and repeated application of experimental visceral pain

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

Female

Age

18 Years to 45 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: All participants: BMI 18-30 kg/m2; hormonal contraception Patients additionally: confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Patients: severe acute / organic psychiatric illnesses, neurological or oncological diseases; diabetes mellitus, increased bleeding tendency, regular use of opioids or neuromodulators. Healthy participants: any mental or physical illness, especially pain, urogenital/gynecological symptoms or gastrointestinal symptoms and regular use of medication (except hormonal contraceptives). All participants: MRI-relevant exclusion criteria (e.g. claustrophobia, ferromagnetic implants), evidence of substance abuse; changes in the anorectal area; pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Valence and fear ratings of predictive cues assessed using visual analog scales (VAS); electrodermal activity (EDA) as a psychophysiological response.	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Evaluation of the valence and intensity of acoustic stimuli and pain stimuli (VAS); state anxiety (questionnaire), salivary concentrations of cortisol and alpha-amylase (neuroendocrine stress markers); analysis of changes in the electrogastrogram signal (EGG), blood pressure and heart rate variability (HRV) (indirect measures of autonomic responses and arousal); cytokines IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha as well as the acute-phase proteins C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) for the detection of (sub-)clinical inflammation.	—

Measure

Time frame

Evaluation of the valence and intensity of acoustic stimuli and pain stimuli (VAS); state anxiety (questionnaire), salivary concentrations of cortisol and alpha-amylase (neuroendocrine stress markers); analysis of changes in the electrogastrogram signal (EGG), blood pressure and heart rate variability (HRV) (indirect measures of autonomic responses and arousal); cytokines IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha as well as the acute-phase proteins C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) for the detection of (sub-)clinical inflammation.

—

Countries

Germany

Contacts

Public ContactSigrid Elsenbruch

Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie

sigrid.elsenbruch@rub.de+49 234 32 27286

Outcome results

None listed

Source: DRKS (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026