Role of Manual Therapy in Supporting Quality of Life in Women with Primary Dysmenorrhea : A Scoping Review
Bohlen, Patricia (2026)
2026
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202603305234
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202603305234
Tiivistelmä
This scoping review aimed to identify manual therapy approaches supporting the quality of life in women with primary dysmenorrhea and chart the scope and characteristics of existing evidence while identifying research gaps. Primary dysmenorrhea is a highly prevalent and disabling condition that substantially affects the quality of life among women but remains underreported and often dismissed in healthcare and sociocultural contexts. Consequently, many women experience delayed or inadequate care and seek complementary or alternative support, highlighting the need to explore the potential role of manual therapy.
Studies published in English, German, or Swedish between January 2010 and July 2025 were included. Four databases were searched: CINAHL, ScienceDirect, PEDro, and Google Search Engine. The study selection for this scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR framework, resulting in 18 randomised controlled trials. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the JBI critical appraisal tool, and data were synthesised using abductive content analysis.
Three intervention categories were identified: movement-based, hands-on, and adjunctive therapies. These were linked to three domains: health and well-being, pain experience and impact, as well as academic role functioning. Overall, the pain outcomes, as well as the psychological and physical health aspects were most frequently assessed, whereas sleep, menstrual-related symptoms, as well as academic role functioning, were reported less consistently. Several studies applied multimodal interventions combining exercise, taping, relaxation, or manual techniques, limiting comparability. Interventions showed substantial heterogeneity in type, delivery, and outcome measures. Some approaches were associated with improvements in pain outcomes and selected quality-of-life domains, whereas broader dimensions were assessed less frequently. The methodological variability and risks of bias limit the strength of the evidence. Further well-designed studies with clearly defined protocols and consistent quality-of-life outcomes are needed to clarify the role of manual therapy in supporting the quality of life in women with primary dysmenorrhea.
Studies published in English, German, or Swedish between January 2010 and July 2025 were included. Four databases were searched: CINAHL, ScienceDirect, PEDro, and Google Search Engine. The study selection for this scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR framework, resulting in 18 randomised controlled trials. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the JBI critical appraisal tool, and data were synthesised using abductive content analysis.
Three intervention categories were identified: movement-based, hands-on, and adjunctive therapies. These were linked to three domains: health and well-being, pain experience and impact, as well as academic role functioning. Overall, the pain outcomes, as well as the psychological and physical health aspects were most frequently assessed, whereas sleep, menstrual-related symptoms, as well as academic role functioning, were reported less consistently. Several studies applied multimodal interventions combining exercise, taping, relaxation, or manual techniques, limiting comparability. Interventions showed substantial heterogeneity in type, delivery, and outcome measures. Some approaches were associated with improvements in pain outcomes and selected quality-of-life domains, whereas broader dimensions were assessed less frequently. The methodological variability and risks of bias limit the strength of the evidence. Further well-designed studies with clearly defined protocols and consistent quality-of-life outcomes are needed to clarify the role of manual therapy in supporting the quality of life in women with primary dysmenorrhea.