Verbal Analgesia During Copper IUD Insertion After Cesarean Delivery

June 8, 2026 updated by: Ahmed Samy aly ashour, Cairo University

Structured Verbal Analgesia Versus Neutral Communication During Copper T380A IUD Insertion in Women With Previous Cesarean Delivery and No Prior Vaginal Birth: An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial

This open-label, parallel-group randomized controlled trial evaluated whether structured verbal analgesia reduces pain during Copper T380A intrauterine device insertion compared with standardized neutral communication in women with previous cesarean delivery and no prior vaginal birth. Eligible women requesting Copper T380A insertion were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either a structured supportive communication protocol or standardized neutral procedural communication during insertion. The primary outcome was pain intensity measured on a 0-10 numerical rating scale immediately after IUD release in the uterine cavity, with pain at the final attempted insertion step used for failed insertions.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Copper T380A intrauterine device insertion may be associated with procedural pain, particularly in women without prior vaginal birth. Women whose delivery history is limited to cesarean section may experience greater insertion difficulty because the cervix has not undergone the dilation and remodeling associated with vaginal delivery. Nonpharmacological strategies such as structured verbal analgesia may provide a simple, low-cost adjunct for improving the insertion experience.

This study was an open-label, parallel-group randomized controlled trial with 1:1 allocation conducted at Algezeera Hospital, Giza, Egypt. Women aged 18-45 years requesting Copper T380A IUD insertion, with previous cesarean delivery and no prior vaginal birth, were randomized to structured verbal analgesia or standardized neutral communication. All participants received oral ibuprofen 600 mg approximately one hour before insertion, and the technical insertion procedure was standardized in both groups.

In the structured verbal analgesia group, the provider used calm, supportive, scripted communication with guided breathing and continuous reassurance throughout the procedure. In the standardized neutral communication group, the provider used brief procedural statements only, without additional reassurance, analgesic suggestion, or guided breathing.

The primary outcome was pain intensity on a 0-10 numerical rating scale immediately after IUD release in the uterine cavity, or at the final attempted insertion step in failed cases. Secondary outcomes included step-specific pain scores, clinician-rated insertion difficulty, procedure time, failed insertion, vasovagal episode, uterine perforation, rescue analgesia, patient satisfaction, willingness to repeat the procedure, loss to 1-month follow-up, and IUD expulsion at one month.

Before study commencement, the final ethics-approved protocol version incorporated amendments made to the originally registered protocol. These amendments were submitted to and approved by the Algezeera Hospital Research Ethics Committee before recruitment, consent, randomization, or any study-related procedure began. During the present ClinicalTrials.gov record update, the registry entry is being aligned with the final ethics-approved protocol version and the completed final study data. These updates do not reflect post-randomization changes to the randomized comparison, participant eligibility, or primary outcome.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
88

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • Egypt
      • Giza, Egypt
        • Algezeera Hospital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Women aged 18-45 years.
  • Requesting Copper T380A intrauterine device insertion.
  • Delivery history limited to cesarean section(s), with no prior vaginal delivery.
  • Regular menstrual cycles.
  • Eligible for Copper T380A IUD insertion according to World Health Organization medical eligibility criteria.
  • Able to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Current pelvic infection, cervicitis, or vaginitis.
  • Uterine anomalies or fibroids distorting the uterine cavity.
  • Any contraindication to Copper T380A IUD insertion.
  • Contraindication to ibuprofen.
  • Use of analgesic medication within 6-8 hours before insertion.
  • Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy.
  • Severe dysmenorrhea requiring narcotic analgesia.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Verbal Analgesia
Participants randomized to the structured verbal analgesia group received a standardized supportive communication protocol throughout Copper T380A IUD insertion. The provider used a calm, low-volume voice, steady pitch, slow rate of speech, guided breathing, and continuous reassurance. The script was delivered at defined procedural steps, including before speculum insertion, during tenaculum application, during uterine sounding, during IUD insertion, and after completion of the procedure. The technical insertion procedure was otherwise identical to the control group.
Behavioral: Verbal Analgesia
Structured verbal analgesia consisted of a scripted supportive communication protocol delivered by the provider throughout IUD insertion. The protocol used calm tone, slow speech, guided breathing, reassurance, and positive procedural framing at predefined steps. No additional pharmacologic analgesic intervention was given beyond the standard pre-procedure ibuprofen used in both groups.
Active Comparator: Control - Standard Technique
Participants randomized to the standardized neutral communication group received brief procedural statements only during Copper T380A IUD insertion, such as "I am now placing the speculum," "I am sounding the uterus," "The IUD is being inserted," and "The procedure is complete." The provider did not use additional reassurance, analgesic suggestion, guided breathing, or structured supportive phrasing. The technical insertion procedure was otherwise identical to the verbal analgesia group.
Behavioral: Providers will use a standardized neutral script with brief instructions only (e.g., "I am now placing the speculum," "I am sounding the uterus," "The IUD is being inserted," "The procedure is complet
Participants randomized to the standardized neutral communication group received brief procedural statements only during Copper T380A IUD insertion, such as "I am now placing the speculum," "I am sounding the uterus," "The IUD is being inserted," and "The procedure is complete." The provider did not use additional reassurance, analgesic suggestion, guided breathing, or structured supportive phrasing. The technical insertion procedure was otherwise identical to the verbal analgesia group.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Pain intensity at IUD release
Time Frame: Immediately after IUD release in the uterine cavity, or immediately after the final attempted insertion step in failed cases.
Pain intensity measured using a 0-10 numerical rating scale, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst pain imaginable. Pain was recorded immediately after release of the Copper T380A IUD into the uterine cavity. In failed insertion cases, pain at the final attempted insertion step was used as the prespecified primary-outcome substitute.
Immediately after IUD release in the uterine cavity, or immediately after the final attempted insertion step in failed cases.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Patient satisfaction
Time Frame: at the end of procedure before discharge from clinic
It will be measured usinga 0-10 NRS-like scale at the end of the visit, where 0 = no satisfaction and 10 = maximum satisfaction
at the end of procedure before discharge from clinic
Clinician-rated insertion difficulty
Time Frame: Immediately after completion or termination of the IUD insertion procedure.
Insertion difficulty rated by the clinician using a 0-10 scale, where 0 indicates very easy insertion and 10 indicates the most difficult insertion.
Immediately after completion or termination of the IUD insertion procedure.
Pain after speculum insertion
Time Frame: Immediately after speculum insertion.
Pain intensity measured using a 0-10 numerical rating scale, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst pain imaginable.
Immediately after speculum insertion.
Pain after tenaculum application
Time Frame: Immediately after tenaculum application.
Pain intensity measured using a 0-10 numerical rating scale, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst pain imaginable.
Immediately after tenaculum application.
Pain after uterine sounding
Time Frame: Immediately after uterine sounding.
Pain intensity measured using a 0-10 numerical rating scale, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst pain imaginable.
Immediately after uterine sounding.
Procedure time
Time Frame: During the IUD insertion procedure.
Procedure time measured in minutes from speculum insertion to IUD placement and string trimming, or to termination of the final insertion attempt in failed cases.
During the IUD insertion procedure.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Cairo University

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Algazeera Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
October 10, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
April 10, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
May 10, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 24, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
January 3, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
January 8, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 10, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 8, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • verbal analgesia IUD

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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