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RCT of Pain Perception With Fast and Slow Tenaculum Application

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Pain Perception With Fast and Slow Tenaculum Application to the Uterine Cervix

Status
Recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05458037
Enrollment
150
Registered
2022-07-14
Start date
2020-09-29
Completion date
2026-12-31
Last updated
2024-05-03

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

Conditions

Pain, Acute, Pain, Procedural

Brief summary

This project will be a randomized controlled trial (RCT) measuring pain perception with two different tenaculum placement techniques on the uterine cervix. A tenaculum is an instrument used to hold the cervix (the opening to the uterus or womb) in place. The trial will measure pain perception with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) from 0 to 100 mm for two different tenaculum placement techniques, fast and slow closure on the uterine cervix. The main objective of this study is to determine if there is a difference in pain perception with fast compared to slow tenaculum placement techniques on the uterine cervix. We hypothesize that the slow technique will be perceived as less painful for subjects as measured on a 0 mm to 100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Subsidiary objectives include describing overall pain levels during the procedure.

Detailed description

In order to detect a 15 mm difference on the VAS with two-sided 5% alpha and 80% power and a standard deviation of 33 mm (based on prior studies), a total of 71 subjects per group are required. We aim to recruit 75 subjects per arm in order to account for possible drop out.

Interventions

PROCEDURESpeed of tenaculum application

Fast or slow closure of the tenaculum for application to the uterine cervix

Sponsors

Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. plans for IUD insertion or endometrial biopsy; 2. 18 to 49 years of age; 3. not taken analgesics or anxiolytics in the previous 24 hours; 4. the ability and are willing to give informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

1. Do not speak English unless interpreter present; 2. Taken any narcotic or opiate medication in the last 24 hours. 3. Taken any recreational or illegal drugs in the last 24 hours, such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine, crack, or methamphetamines. 4. Taken any anti-anxiety medication or drug in the last 24 hours. 5. Taken any NSAIDS or Tylenol in the last 12 hours.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Pain perception with tenaculum applicationduring procedurePain scores will be determined using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) from 0 to 100 mm.

Countries

United States

Contacts

Primary ContactRebecca Allen, MD
RHAllen@wihri.org401-274-1122

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026