Whole-Body Cryotherapy as a Non-Pharmacological Treatment to Reduce Chronic Pelvic Pain and Impro… (NCT07603960) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Whole-Body Cryotherapy as a Non-Pharmacological Treatment to Reduce Chronic Pelvic Pain and Improve Quality of Life in People With Endometriosis
United Kingdom30 participantsStarted 2026-04-09
Plain-language summary
The aim of this study is to investigate whether whole-body cryotherapy (a brief exposure to very cold temperatures) can help reduce pain and improve quality of life in people living with endometriosis, and whether it may represent a safe, non-pharmacological approach to managing endometriosis-related symptoms.
Up to 30 participants with symptomatic endometriosis (chronic pelvic pain for more than six months) will be recruited over a 12-month period. Participants will attend two study visits at the hospital, approximately four weeks apart. Between these visits, participants will undergo five whole-body cryotherapy sessions, each lasting approximately 3 minutes. During cryotherapy, participants stand in a specialised chamber where the body is briefly exposed to cold, dry air (around -120°C).
During the study, will be assessed changes in systemic inflammation and biological markers using blood, saliva, urine, vaginal, and stool samples. Data will be collected using questionnaires evaluating pain and related symptoms, quality of life, sleep, fatigue, intestinal symptoms, and overall wellbeing.
The active study phase lasts approximately 4-6 weeks. A final follow-up assessment at 15 weeks will be conducted remotely using questionnaires and self-collected samples.
Who can participate
Age range
16 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Women or assigned female at birth
* Aged 16 or over
* Endometriosis identified at laparoscopy or imaging, performed within the last ten years
* Chronic pelvic pain for more than six months
* Willing to comply with the treatment
* Willing to use effective contraception throughout the trial (if needed)
* Willing and able to give informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Pregnant, breastfeeding or actively trying to get pregnant
* Post-menopausal (no periods for \>12 months and not taking hormonal treatments to prevent periods, or bilateral oophorectomy performed)
* Previous hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy
* Raynaud's Disease
* Current treatment for malignancy
* Diabetes
* Known hypothyroidism
* Pre-existing or current diagnosis of anaemia
* Cardiovascular disease: severe hypertension (180/100, unstable angina, arrhythmia, recent (\<6months) myocardial infarction, peripheral artery disease, cardiac pacemaker, recent (\<6months) stroke or transient ischaemic attack)
* Acute kidney and urinary tract diseases
* Cryoglobulinemia
* Previous venous thromboembolism or peripheral artery occlusive disease
* Cold urticaria
* Livedo reticularis
* Open wounds or ulcers, large-area bacterial and viral skin infections
* Uncontrolled seizure disorder
* Known coagulopathy (eg von Willibrand disease, haemophilia)
* Severe claustrophobia
* Acute infections and fever
* Intoxication (alcohol, drugs)
* Signs or symptoms of cold allergy
* Severe wasting diseases
* Known…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in average pain over the preceding week measured by an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)
Timeframe: From baseline to 4 weeks post-intervention