Effects of Lumbopelvic Exercise‐based Interventions on Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

INTRODUCTION: Dysmenorrhea, with a prevalence of 45% to 95% globally, is the most common gynecologic symptom among women. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of lumbopelvic exercise-based interventions on primary dysmenorrhea. METHODS: = 92.88%). Publication bias was assessed via funnel plots and Egger's test, with sensitivity analyses performed to verify the robustness of the results. RESULTS: Fourteen randomized clinical trials (n = 1078) were included in the systematic review, with 13 in the meta-analysis. Lumbopelvic interventions significantly reduced pain intensity (ES, -1.50; 95% CI, -2.06 to -.94; P = .001). Subgroup analysis showed a significant effect for active interventions (ES, -1.78; 95% CI, -2.47 to -1.09, P = .001) but not for passive interventions (ES, -.93; 95% CI, -1.91 to .05, P = .06), with no significant difference between them (Q-between = 1.65, P = .19). The nonsignificant result for passive interventions was not robust because a sensitivity analysis excluding one study yielded a significant effect (ES, -1.34; 95% CI, -1.99 to -.69, P = .001), suggesting efficacy is specific to the modality used. DISCUSSION: Lumbopelvic exercises reduce dysmenorrhea pain. Both active and passive methods are beneficial, allowing midwives and clinicians to customize treatment. However, findings should be viewed cautiously due to heterogeneity and limited evidence for passive interventions.