Primary DysmenorrheactumpNCT07799285
Suspended Moxibustion for Primary Dysmenorrhea in Female Medical Students
A study testing Suspended moxibustion at CV4, CV8, SP6 in people with Primary Dysmenorrhea, run by Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy at 1 site in Vietnam.
Trial summary
This study evaluates the analgesic efficacy of suspended moxibustion applied at acupoints CV4 (Guanyuan), CV8 (Shenque), and bilateral SP6 (Sanyinjiao) in female students with primary dysmenorrhea at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Primary Dysmenorrhea
- What is being tested?
- Suspended moxibustion at CV4, CV8, SP6
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 48 participants
- Where
- 1 siteVietnam
- Study dates
- 1 Dec 2025to 20 Jul 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged 18-35 years with a regular menstrual cycle (28 ± 7 days)
- History of moderate-to-severe dysmenorrhea (VAS ≥ 4) in at least 3 consecutive menstrual cycles prior to enrolment
- Willing to participate and providing written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Secondary dysmenorrhea attributable to endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or uterine fibroids (confirmed by abdominal ultrasound)
- Neurological disorders, immunodeficiency, or uncontrolled bleeding disorders
- Any systemic medical condition contraindicating moxibustion
- Use of prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors (PGSIs) within two weeks prior to enrolment
- Pregnancy, lactation, or planned pregnancy within the following 6 months
- Current use of NSAIDs or oral contraceptives
- Ongoing or recent moxibustion treatment within 2 weeks prior to registration
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Vietnam1 site
Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Can Tho, Ninh Kieu, 94100
About this study
Official title: Evaluating the Analgesic Efficacy of Suspended Moxibustion in the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea in Female Students at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy
This study evaluates the analgesic efficacy of suspended moxibustion applied at acupoints CV4 (Guanyuan), CV8 (Shenque), and bilateral SP6 (Sanyinjiao) in female students with primary dysmenorrhea at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy. In this single-arm pre-post clinical intervention (N=48), participants received daily 20-minute moxibustion sessions starting 7 days before menstruation through the end of the menstrual period, across three consecutive treatment cycles. The primary outcome was change in VAS pain score; secondary outcomes included RSS-COX symptom burden, number of pain days per cycle, and abdominal skin temperature measured by thermal imaging (FLIR C5).
Read the detailed description
Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) affects up to 88.2% of female students at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, yet fewer than 10% receive structured treatment. Moxibustion, a traditional Chinese medicine thermal therapy, has shown promise in regulating prostaglandin synthesis and improving uterine microcirculation, but no controlled study had previously evaluated a standardized moxibustion protocol in Vietnamese medical students.
Eligible participants were female students and postgraduate trainees aged 18-35 years with regular menstrual cycles (28±7 days) and a history of moderate-to-severe dysmenorrhea (VAS ≥ 4) in at least 3 consecutive cycles prior to enrolment. Exclusion criteria included secondary dysmenorrhea, neurological or bleeding disorders, use of prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors within 2 weeks of enrolment, pregnancy/lactation, and current use of NSAIDs or oral contraceptives.
Suspended moxibustion (moxa stick held 2-3 cm above skin, target skin temperature 40-45°C) was administered once daily at CV4, CV8, and bilateral SP6 for 20 minutes/session, from 7 days before menstruation through the last day of menstruation (approximately 7-10 sessions per cycle), across 3 active treatment cycles. Outcomes (VAS, RSS-COX, pain days, abdominal skin temperature) were assessed at baseline and after each of the three treatment cycles. Statistical analysis used Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests for paired comparisons, Spearman correlation, and Kruskal-Wallis tests, with Bonferroni correction (SPSS v26).
- Conditions
- Primary Dysmenorrhea
- Being tested
- Suspended moxibustion at CV4, CV8, SP6
- Keywords
- moxibustion; suspended moxibustion; acupoint; CV4; CV8; SP6; primary dysmenorrhea; traditional Chinese medicine; pain; medical students; Vietnam
- Medical subject headings
- Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Suspended moxibustion at CV4, CV8, SP6Other
Also called Moxibustion group
Moxa stick suspended 2-3 cm above the skin at acupoints CV4 (Guanyuan), CV8 (Shenque), and bilateral SP6 (Sanyinjiao), targeting a skin temperature of 40-45°C, administered once daily for 20 minutes p
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Moxibustion group | Experimental | All 48 participants received suspended moxibustion at CV4, CV8, and bilateral SP6 for 20 minutes daily, from 7 days before menstruation through the end of the menstrual period, across three consecutive treatment cycles. Receives: Other: Suspended moxibustion at CV4, CV8, SP6 |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score
The Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale (RSS-COX) is a validated self-report instrument measuring the frequency and severity of menstrual-related systemic symptoms, including back pain, fatigue, irritability, and headache. Higher scores indicate greater symptom burden.
Measured: Baseline and at the end of Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3 (each menstrual cycle is approximately 28 days)
Secondary outcomes (3)
Change in RSS-COX (Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale) symptom burden score
The Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale (RSS-COX) is a validated self-report instrument measuring the frequency and severity of menstrual-related systemic symptoms, including back pain, fatigue, irritability, and headache. Higher scores indicate greater symptom burden.
Measured: Baseline and at the end of Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3 (each menstrual cycle is approximately 28 days)
Number of pain days per menstrual cycle
Measured: baseline and after each of three treatment cycles
Abdominal skin temperature (measured by FLIR C5 thermal imaging camera)
Abdominal skin temperature was measured using a FLIR C5 thermal imaging camera to assess the vasodilatory and thermal effect of moxibustion. Temperature was recorded at three time points relative to each moxibustion session: immediately before treatment (T0), immediately after treatment (T1), and 15 minutes after treatment (T2).
Measured: Immediately before (T0), immediately after (T1), and 15 minutes after (T2) each moxibustion session, assessed throughout Cycles 1 to 3
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Sep 2026
- Study start1 Dec 2025
- Primary completion1 Jul 2026
- Study completion20 Jul 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Primary DysmenorrheaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- lan ngoc chi nguyen, Principal investigator, Faculty of Traditional Medicine, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07799285
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 25.171.SV/PCT-HĐĐĐ
- Other IDs
- 25.171.SV/PCT-HĐĐĐ
- Acronym
- ctump
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 24 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 2 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: De-identified individual participant data underlying the results reported in this article (VAS pain scores, RSS-COX scores, pain days, and abdominal skin temperature measurements) will be made available to researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal, beginning 6 months and ending 3 years after publication. Requests should be directed to the corresponding author. Data will be shared after approval of a data access request by the study team.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Evaluating the Analgesic Efficacy of Suspended Moxibustion in the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea in Female Students at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07799285
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ctump / 25.171.SV/PCT-HĐĐĐ
- Conditions
- Primary Dysmenorrhea
- Keywords
- moxibustion; suspended moxibustion; acupoint; CV4; CV8; SP6; primary dysmenorrhea; traditional Chinese medicine; pain; medical students; Vietnam
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Can Tho University of Medicine and PharmacyUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 20 Jul 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 2 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study evaluates the analgesic efficacy of suspended moxibustion applied at acupoints CV4 (Guanyuan), CV8 (Shenque), and bilateral SP6 (Sanyinjiao) in female students with primary dysmenorrhea at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy. In this single-arm pre-post clinical intervention (N=48), participants received daily 20-minute moxibustion sessions starting 7 days before menstruation through the end of the menstrual period, across three consecutive treatment cycles. The primary outcome was change in VAS pain score; secondary outcomes included RSS-COX symptom burden, number of pain days per cycle, and abdominal skin temperature measured by thermal imaging (FLIR C5).
Detailed description
Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) affects up to 88.2% of female students at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, yet fewer than 10% receive structured treatment. Moxibustion, a traditional Chinese medicine thermal therapy, has shown promise in regulating prostaglandin synthesis and improving uterine microcirculation, but no controlled study had previously evaluated a standardized moxibustion protocol in Vietnamese medical students.
Eligible participants were female students and postgraduate trainees aged 18-35 years with regular menstrual cycles (28±7 days) and a history of moderate-to-severe dysmenorrhea (VAS ≥ 4) in at least 3 consecutive cycles prior to enrolment. Exclusion criteria included secondary dysmenorrhea, neurological or bleeding disorders, use of prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors within 2 weeks of enrolment, pregnancy/lactation, and current use of NSAIDs or oral contraceptives.
Suspended moxibustion (moxa stick held 2-3 cm above skin, target skin temperature 40-45°C) was administered once daily at CV4, CV8, and bilateral SP6 for 20 minutes/session, from 7 days before menstruation through the last day of menstruation (approximately 7-10 sessions per cycle), across 3 active treatment cycles. Outcomes (VAS, RSS-COX, pain days, abdominal skin temperature) were assessed at baseline and after each of the three treatment cycles. Statistical analysis used Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests for paired comparisons, Spearman correlation, and Kruskal-Wallis tests, with Bonferroni correction (SPSS v26).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Moxibustion group | Experimental | Other: Suspended moxibustion at CV4, CV8, SP6All 48 participants received suspended moxibustion at CV4, CV8, and bilateral SP6 for 20 minutes daily, from 7 days before menstruation through the end of the menstrual period, across three consecutive treatment cycles. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Aged 18-35 years with a regular menstrual cycle (28 ± 7 days)
- History of moderate-to-severe dysmenorrhea (VAS ≥ 4) in at least 3 consecutive menstrual cycles prior to enrolment
- Willing to participate and providing written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Secondary dysmenorrhea attributable to endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or uterine fibroids (confirmed by abdominal ultrasound)
- Neurological disorders, immunodeficiency, or uncontrolled bleeding disorders
- Any systemic medical condition contraindicating moxibustion
- Use of prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors (PGSIs) within two weeks prior to enrolment
- Pregnancy, lactation, or planned pregnancy within the following 6 months
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Suspended moxibustion at CV4, CV8, SP6Also: Moxibustion groupMoxa stick suspended 2-3 cm above the skin at acupoints CV4 (Guanyuan), CV8 (Shenque), and bilateral SP6 (Sanyinjiao), targeting a skin temperature of 40-45°C, administered once daily for 20 minutes p | Other | Moxibustion group |
Primary outcome
Change in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3 (each menstrual cycle is approximately 28 days)
The Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale (RSS-COX) is a validated self-report instrument measuring the frequency and severity of menstrual-related systemic symptoms, including back pain, fatigue, irritability, and headache. Higher scores indicate greater symptom burden.
3 secondary outcomes
Change in RSS-COX (Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale) symptom burden score
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3 (each menstrual cycle is approximately 28 days)
Number of pain days per menstrual cycle
Time frame: baseline and after each of three treatment cycles
Abdominal skin temperature (measured by FLIR C5 thermal imaging camera)
Time frame: Immediately before (T0), immediately after (T1), and 15 minutes after (T2) each moxibustion session, assessed throughout Cycles 1 to 3
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 2 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. De-identified individual participant data underlying the results reported in this article (VAS pain scores, RSS-COX scores, pain days, and abdominal skin temperature measurements) will be made available to researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal, beginning 6 months and ending 3 years after publication. Requests should be directed to the corresponding author. Data will be shared after approval of a data access request by the study team.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
lan ngoc chi nguyen principal investigator
Faculty of Traditional Medicine, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Suspended moxibustion at CV4, CV8, SP6 in people with Primary Dysmenorrhea, run by Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy at 1 site in Vietnam.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Vietnam. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score (time frame: Baseline and at the end of Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3 (each menstrual cycle is approximately 28 days)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Sep 2026.