Evaluation of the Effect of a Structured Yoga Exercise in Young Women With Primary Dysmenorrhea

July 18, 2026 updated by: Aysegul Atli, Ankara University

Evaluation of the Effect of a Structured Yoga Exercise Program on Pain, Menstrual Symptoms, and Quality of Life in Young Women With Primary Dysmenorrhea

Abstract

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological condition affecting women of reproductive age and negatively impacting quality of life. It is characterized by cramping pain in the lower abdomen that may radiate to the lower back and thighs, leading to decreased daily functioning, academic performance, and psychological well-being. In addition to pharmacological treatments, complementary approaches are increasingly used in the management of dysmenorrhea. Yoga, a mind-body exercise that combines physical movement with mental focus, has been suggested as an effective method for reducing stress and pain associated with dysmenorrhea.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the level of awareness about dysmenorrhea in young women with primary dysmenorrhea and to investigate the effects of a yoga program on pain, quality of life, and menstrual attitudes following an educational session provided to all participants. Pain severity, quality of life, and menstrual attitudes will be assessed using validated questionnaires and scales, including the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), awareness questionnaire, functional and emotional dysmenorrhea scale, Menstrual Attitude Scale, and quality of life questionnaire.

This study aims to determine whether yoga exercises reduce dysmenorrhea symptoms and improve quality of life in young women with primary dysmenorrhea. Additionally, the study is expected to increase awareness about dysmenorrhea and provide evidence for the effectiveness of yoga as a non-pharmacological intervention.

Study Overview

Status

Status

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

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

This study aims to evaluate the effects of yoga exercise on dysmenorrhea symptoms in young women with primary dysmenorrhea. Additionally, the study aims to examine the effects of yoga exercises on participants' quality of life. Although dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent among young women, the use of non-pharmacological approaches for its management is considered limited. Therefore, a structured yoga exercise program will be applied to the participants in this study.

Pain intensity, quality of life, and menstrual attitudes of the participants will be evaluated. During the data collection process, Personal Information Form, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Functional and Emotional Dysmenorrhea Scale, Menstrual Attitude Scale, and quality of life questionnaire will be used. Assessments will be performed before and after the exercise program.

This study aims to determine whether a yoga exercise program is effective in reducing pain and improving quality of life in young women with primary dysmenorrhea.

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 (Estimated)

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.
50

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 Locations

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

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Healthy young women with primary dysmenorrhea
  • Aged between 18-25 years
  • Having a regular menstrual cycle (30-35 days)
  • Menstrual bleeding duration of 3-10 days

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Having secondary dysmenorrhea
  • Participation in regular physical activity or other exercise programs
  • Use of medication
  • Diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome
  • Having bleeding disorders
  • Positive pregnancy test
  • Being in the breastfeeding period
  • Primary dysmenorrhea attributed to medical disorders or other causes
  • Participants who miss three consecutive sessions or four alternating sessions during the study will be excluded from the research

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: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

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.
No Intervention: control grup
Experimental: Yoga Group
Other: Yoga Exercise Program
Participants in the intervention group will receive a structured yoga exercise program. The yoga program will include breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and selected yoga postures targeting the pelvic region. The exercises will be performed regularly for the duration of the study. Pain intensity, quality of life, and menstrual attitudes will be evaluated before and after the intervention.

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 (VAS)
Time Frame: Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to assess menstrual pain intensity. Participants rated their pain on a 10-cm horizontal line ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain severity.
Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

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
Secondary Outcome Measure: Participant Experiences
Time Frame: after 8 weeks of intervention
A subset of participants from the yoga group participated in semi-structured interviews after the intervention to explore their perceptions and experiences related to therapeutic yoga.
after 8 weeks of intervention
Functional and Emotional Dysmenorrhea Scale
Time Frame: baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
The Functional and Emotional Dysmenorrhea Scale (FEDS) is a 14-item self-report questionnaire designed to assess the functional and emotional impact of primary dysmenorrhea. Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale, with total scores ranging from 14 to 70. Higher scores indicate greater functional and emotional impairment associated with dysmenorrhea.
baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
Health-Related Quality of Life
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 8
Assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).Each domain is scored from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life.
Baseline and Week 8
Menstrual Attitudes
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 8
The Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire (MAQ) is a self-report questionnaire that assesses attitudes toward menstruation across multiple dimensions. The questionnaire consists of 33 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale, with total scores ranging from 33 to 231. Higher scores indicate stronger endorsement of menstrual attitudes represented by the questionnaire. Because the MAQ includes both positively and negatively worded subscales, higher scores should be interpreted according to the direction of each subscale rather than as uniformly better or worse attitudes.
Baseline and Week 8

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.
Ankara 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.
The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey

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.
June 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

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.
August 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

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.
August 1, 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).
March 30, 2026

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.
April 2, 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.
April 9, 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.
July 21, 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.
July 18, 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.
July 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.
  • YOGA52U

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

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.

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings