Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis
Vol. 3 (2026)
Physiotherapeutic management of primary dysmenorrhea for adolescent students: a systematic review and meta-analysis
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All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Published: 25 February 2026
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Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) affects up to 80% of adolescent girls, significantly impacting their school attendance and quality of life. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of physiotherapeutic interventions, including acupressure, massage, exercise, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), in managing PD among adolescents. Following PRISMA guidelines and utilizing the PICO framework, a comprehensive search was conducted across four electronic databases (Scopus, PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane Library) and grey literature for English-language randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between May 2000 and May 2025. Ten RCTs involving 1,496 participants met the inclusion criteria, focusing on adolescents aged 10–19 years with PD. Pain reduction, measured using visual analogue scale (VAS) and numerical rating scale (NRS), was the primary outcome, with significant improvements observed across most interventions. A meta-analysis supported the effectiveness of these therapies, though heterogeneity in study designs and interventions was noted. The findings suggest that physiotherapy is a promising non-pharmacological approach for PD management, with potential benefits for both physical and psychological health. However, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to study heterogeneity and moderate methodological quality. Further high-quality trials are recommended to strengthen the evidence base and guide clinical practice.
Trial Registration Number: PROSPERO 2025 CRD420251074405.
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Tsang WWY, Giannaki A, Mohamed H. Physiotherapeutic management of primary dysmenorrhea for adolescent students: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Adv Health Res [Internet]. 2026 Feb. 25 [cited 2026 Mar. 8];3(1). Available from: https://www.ahr-journal.org/site/article/view/129
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