Motor Imagery Training
Conditions
Keywords
Motor Imagery, Therapeutic Exercise, Menstrual Pain
Brief summary
The researchers will conduct a study that combines motor imagery with therapeutic exercise in women experiencing menstrual pain. Previous research suggests that motor imagery, when used alongside physical exercise, may help improve motor control and alleviate pain, potentially enhancing outcomes for individuals dealing with chronic pain conditions. Through this study, the investigators aim to explore the effectiveness of these interventions in targeting key variables such as pain perception, motor coordination, and overall quality of life, building on existing evidence of motor imagery's benefits in pain management.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALMotor Imagery Plus Therapeutic Exercise
This group will perform three days of lumbo-pelvic motor control exercise intervention along with a motor imagery intervention program during active breaks between exercises.
BEHAVIORALTherapeutic Exercise
This group will perform a lumbo-pelvic motor control exercise program for three consecutive days.
BEHAVIORALMinimal intervention
This group will carry out a therapeutic counseling and minimal education intervention during a one-day intervention.
Sponsors
University of Valencia
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Women who have experienced menstrual pain for more than 6 months. * Pain intensity rated higher than 3/10 on a pain scale. * Participants do not take pain-relief medication during the study period. * Ages between 18 and 35 years old
Exclusion criteria
* Current use of hormonal contraceptives or other treatments that affect menstrual cycles. * Any chronic pain condition unrelated to menstrual pain (e.g., fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain). * Diagnosed gynecological conditions such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease. * Pregnancy or breastfeeding. * Current use of psychoactive medications that could affect pain perception. * Any significant psychiatric condition that could interfere with study participation. * History of recent pelvic surgery (within the last 6 months).
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pain Intensity | Menstrual pain intensity will be assessed pre-intervention (T0), mid-intervention (T1-day 1, T2-day 2) and Post-intervention (T3-day 3). | The main variable is the intensity of menstrual pain, which will be evaluated before, during and after the intervention using a verbal numerical scale (0-10), where 0 is no pain and 10 is maximum pain. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lumbopelvic Motor Control | Lumbopelvic motor control will be assessed pre-intervention (T0), mid-intervention (T1-day 1, T2-day 2) and Post-intervention (T3-day 3). | Lumbopelvic motor control will be assessed by a visual feedback system starting from a pressure of 40 mmHg. |
| Pain Sensitivity | Pain sensitivity will be assessed pre-intervention (T0), mid-intervention (T1-day 1, T2-day 2) and Post-intervention (T3-day 3). | Pain sensitivity will be assessed with an algometer using pressure pain thresholds (in various areas, such as the abdomen, lumbar and thiabial region), as well as through conditioned pain modulation. |
Countries
Spain
Contacts
Primary ContactFerran Cuenca Martínez, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Outcome results
None listed