Overview
This study aims to examine the effects of Tele-yoga on chronic pelvic pain, fatigue, and quality of life in patients diagnosed with endometriosis. It will be conducted as a single-center, randomized controlled experimental study design.
Description
Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent condition affecting approximately 10% of women of reproductive age worldwide. In Türkiye, it is estimated that around 2.4 million women are diagnosed with endometriosis. The disease is commonly associated with symptoms such as chronic pelvic pain (CPP), dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility, among which CPP is the most prevalent. Endometriosis-related pain is typically recurrent and progressive, significantly impairing women's daily activities and overall quality of life.
Fatigue is another frequently reported symptom among women with endometriosis. Evidence indicates that fatigue is substantially more common in this population compared to the general female population and has a detrimental impact on both physical and psychological well-being. The coexistence of chronic pain and fatigue further exacerbates the negative effects of endometriosis on quality of life.
In recent years, there has been growing interest in Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches (CIHA) for managing pain and fatigue associated with endometriosis. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary and mind-body-based strategies in endometriosis management. Yoga, recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a complementary health practice, integrates physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. It is a low-cost, non-invasive intervention known to promote relaxation and reduce pain, stress, and fatigue.
Telerehabilitation enables the remote delivery of such interventions through digital technologies, improving accessibility and continuity of care. However, there is a limited number of studies investigating telerehabilitation-based yoga interventions among women experiencing chronic pelvic pain due to endometriosis.
Therefore, this project aims to examine the effects of Tele-yoga on chronic pelvic pain, fatigue, and quality of life in women diagnosed with endometriosis. The findings of this research are expected to contribute to developing holistic, accessible, and evidence-based management strategies for women living with endometriosis
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Voluntarily agree to participate in the research
- Able to communicate effectively and have no language barriers
- Have at least a primary school education
- Are 18 years of age or older and premenopausal
- Are not pregnant
- Have no health problems that would prevent them from practicing yoga
- Do not exercise regularly / do not exercise more than three times per week
- Have not received physical therapy within the past three months
- Have not undergone any pelvic surgery within the past year
- Do not have surgical treatment planned for endometriosis
- Do not have any other injury or disease causing pelvic pain
- Have mild (1-3) or moderate (4-6) chronic pelvic pain
- Have access to a computer, phone, or tablet with a camera and an available internet connection to participate in online sessions
Exclusion Criteria:
- Those who wish to withdraw at any stage of the research
- Those who do not attend all Tele-yoga sessions
- Those who begin regular exercise or physical therapy during the study period
- Those who become pregnant during the study
- Those who use any Complementary or Alternative Medicine (CAM) method during the intervention
- Those who undergo surgical treatment during the course of the study