Relationship Between Primary Dysmenorrhea and Biomechanical Characteristics of Lumbo-pelvic Region Among Female University Students (DM)

this study will be conducted to Investigate the relationship between primary dysmenorrhea and biomechanical characteristics of lumbo-pelvic region among female university students

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Dysmenorrhea Primary
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Females with primary dysmenorrhea; Other: Females without dysmenorrhea

Detailed Description

Dysmenorrhea is a highly prevalent menstrual health problem among female university students and represents a significant under recognized women's health issue. Cultural perceptions that normalize menstrual pain often result in underreporting, delayed healthcare seeking, and inadequate management among young women. This study is significant in addressing dysmenorrhea as a health condition that affects the physical, psychological, academic, and social well-being of female university students. From a physical health perspective, dysmenorrhea can lead to reduced mobility, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the lumbopelvic region. Psychologically, recurrent menstrual pain may contribute to increased stress, anxiety, emotional distress, and reduced concentration. In the demanding academic environment of universities, these factors can negatively influence academic performance and mental well-being. Socially and academically, dysmenorrhea is a leading cause of class absenteeism, decreased lecture attendance, and reduced participation in practical and clinical sessions among female students.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 128

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Aya Hassanein, master; Phone Number: 01158146046; Email: 4ayakhalifa4@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

128 female university students aged 18-24 years with a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m² will participate in this study. The female will be allocated to groups depending on the level of NRS, more than 4 will be in the dysmenorrhea group, and less than 3 will be in the non-dysmenorrhea group.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female university students aged 18-24 years
• Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m²
• Regular menstrual cycle (28-35 days) for at least the past six months
• Willingness to avoid analgesics 72 hours prior to testing

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of pelvic or gynecological disorders
• Previous spinal, abdominal, or lower limb surgery
• Neurological disorders
• Structural spinal deformities (e.g., moderate to severe scoliosis)
• Obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²)
• Current use of oral contraceptive pills
• History of pregnancy or delivery

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Females with primary dysmenorrhea; 64 females with primary dysmenorrhea will participate in this group, neumerical rating scale more than 4.	Other: Females with primary dysmenorrhea; Female university students aged 18-24 years, Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m² with primary dysmenorrhea (NRS > 4).
Females without dysmenorrhea; 64 females without dysmenorrhea will participate in this group. neumerical rating scale less than 3	Other: Females without dysmenorrhea; Female university students aged 18-24 years, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m² without dysmenorrhea (NRS less 3).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
life disability	The WaLIDD score (Working ability, Location, Intensity, and Days of pain) is a clinical questionnaire used to evaluate the severity of dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) and to predict the likelihood of a person needing medical leave. It evaluates the condition using four criteria, each scored from 0 to 3, yielding a total possible score ranging from 0 to 12 points.Low/Mild Score (0 to 4 points): Indicates no dysmenorrhea.Moderate Score (5 to 7 points): Indicates moderate dysmenorrhea.High Score (8 to 12 points): Indicates severe dysmenorrhea.	up to one day

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
oscillatory frequency	The MyotonPro (Myoton AS Tallinn, Estonia) device will be used to assess oscillation frequency. it introduces an innovative and non-invasive approach for comprehensively characterizing the biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of muscles.The device is applied under constant preload (0.18 N) to pre-compress subcutaneous tissues, and it exerts a brief (15 milliseconds) mechanical tap at a pre-determined force (0.4 Newtons), followed by quick release, causing damped oscillations that are recorded by the testing probe. This device is portable, inexpensive, easy to use, and convenient for re-cording the biomechanical and viscoelastic stiffness of myofascial tissues relatively quickly.A higher oscillation frequency indicates higher muscle tone, while increased stiffness reflects greater resistance to force application.	up to one day
muscle dynamic stiffness	The MyotonPro (Myoton AS Tallinn, Estonia) device will be used to assess muscle dynamic stiffness. it introduces an innovative and non-invasive approach for comprehensively characterizing the biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of muscles.The device is applied under constant preload (0.18 N) to pre-compress subcutaneous tissues, and it exerts a brief (15 milliseconds) mechanical tap at a pre-determined force (0.4 Newtons), followed by quick release, causing damped oscillations that are recorded by the testing probe. This device is portable, inexpensive, easy to use, and convenient for re-cording the biomechanical and viscoelastic stiffness of myofascial tissues relatively quickly.A higher dynamic stiffness indicates greater resistance to force application.	up to one day
muscle elasticity	the MyotonPro (Myoton AS Tallinn, Estonia) device will be used to assess muscle elasticity. it quantifies the dissipation of mechanical energy (damping) during natural oscillations of a muscle. lower values signify higher elasticity (i.e., better ability to recover from deformation), while higher values suggest lower elasticity.	up to one day
mechanical stree relaxation time	the MyotonPro (Myoton AS Tallinn, Estonia) device will be used to assess mechanical stree relaxation time with ms.It represents the duration of the muscle recovery process (or the relaxation time) from displacement.the higher tissue tension or stiffness, the faster tissue recovers its shape, meaning the lower the value.	up to one day
muscle viscoelastic property	the MyotonPro (Myoton AS Tallinn, Estonia) device will be used to viscoelastic properity. It represents the relationship between the time it takes for a tissue to undergo creep (gradual elongation) and the time it takes for it to recover or relax after being under constant deformation.Lower values: Indicate higher tissue tension, structural integrity, or increased stiffness (faster recovery).Higher values: Indicate greater viscoelasticity (slower recovery, more creep).	up to one day
pain intensity	Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), where participants rate their pain from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain)	up to one day
pelvic tilt angle	Pelvic tilt angle will be measured using a digital pelvic inclinometer by assessing the angle between the ASIS and PSIS landmarks in a standing position	up to one day
muscle activity	The pressure biofeedback unit will be used to assess muscle activity.Subjects were asked to stand upright with pelvis and spine in neutral position and wear a lumbar support belt firmly around the abdomen. The anterior superior iliac spines (ASIS) of both sides were palpated and marked. The pressure bag was placed underneath the lumbar support one inch above the ASIS over the transversus abdominis muscle and PBU at was pumped to 70 mmHg. The participants were instructed to correctly perform abdominal drawing as much as possible and hold it for 5 seconds. For each participant 3 readings were taken, and the average of these readings was recorded.	up to one day

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Cairo University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): July 30, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 9, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 9, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): July 14, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 14, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 9, 2026
• Last Verified: July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Primary Dysmenorrhea; Female University Students; Biomechanical Characteristics; Lumbo-pelvic Region
• Other Study ID Numbers: P.T.REC/012/006448

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No