Table 3 Characteristics of the included studies
From: Effect of physical activity and exercise on endometriosis-associated symptoms: a systematic review
References | Country | Study period | Study design | Number | Study population | Intervention description | Control group | Duration | Primary outcome (measure) | Secondary outcomes (measure) | Dropouts, n (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carpenter et al. [27] | USA | NR | RCT | 39 (18 intervention vs 18 controls) | Endometriosis1 with no other hormonal treatment during previous 12 months, no regular exercise | Unsupervised; 40 min of individualized cardio fitness at 50–70% of max heart rate + flexibility exercises + danazol | Danazol treatment only | Four times weekly for 24 weeks | Number of side effects of danazol (direct inquiry) | Fitness (VO2max), general muscle strength (KINCOM), sex hormone levels, pelvic symptoms | 3 (7.69%), only in control group |
Friggi Sebe Petrelluzzi et al. [25] | Brazil | NR | Pre-post, no control group | 30 | Women with endometriosis1 and ≥ 7 years of CPP, with no effect of medical therapy or surgery, age 232.0 ± 1.30 years | Supervised; 1 h of body awareness, breathing exercise, stretching, general movement, PFM strength + 1.5 h behavioral cognitive therapy | No control group | 1.0 to 1.5 h for 10 weeks | Pain (VAS, 0–10) | Stress (PSQ), QOL (SF-36), salivary cortisol levels | 4 (13.33%) |
Goncalves et al. [28] | Brazil | 08/2013 to 12/2014 | RCT | 40 (28 intervention vs 12 controls) | Endometriosis3 and CPP, prior hormonal and surgical therapy, age 234.88 ± 6.70 years, no regular exercise | Supervised; 120 min of Hatha yoga, including posture (60 min) + conversation (30 min) + relaxation, breathing exercises, meditation (30 min) Medical therapy was continued | Continuing medical therapy or physiotherapy once per week | Twice weekly for 8 weeks | QOL (EHP-30) | Pain (VAS, 0–10), menstrual pattern measured daily (amount of bleeding scored from 0 to 5) | 12 (30%), only in intervention group |