Description

Endometriosis is a chronic estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease frequently associated with chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, impaired quality of life, sexual dysfunction, and central pain sensitization. Although pelvic floor physical therapy and exercise have demonstrated potential benefits, high-quality randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluating their combined effects remain limited.

This study is a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of specialized pelvic floor physical therapy combined with a structured physical exercise program compared with a placebo intervention combined with the same exercise program in women with confirmed endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain.

Sixty-four participants will be randomly allocated (1:1) to either the intervention group or the placebo group. Both groups will participate in the same 12-week progressive exercise program. The intervention group will receive specialized pelvic floor physical therapy, whereas the control group will receive a placebo pelvic floor physical therapy protocol designed to maintain participant blinding without providing specific therapeutic effects.

Participants will be evaluated at baseline (week 0), after 8 weeks, and at the end of the 12-week intervention. The primary outcome is the intensity of chronic pelvic pain. Secondary outcomes include neuropathic pain symptoms, central sensitization, quality of life, sexual function, depressive symptoms, pelvic floor muscle function, treatment adherence, and participant satisfaction.