Current treatments for endometriosis pain are ineffective or unsuitable for many people. Therefore, it is necessary to trial new and/or alternative therapies. To address this need, this pilot study will evaluate a novel, drug-free method to treat endometriosis pain in terms of its safety, effectiveness, and practicality. The method involves a combination of breathing exercises, meditation, and cold-water immersion in the form of an ice bath.

Person on mat outside in seated yoga position with their legs crossed

 

Who can participate?

This study is open to residents of South Australia that meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Have been diagnosed or given a suspected diagnosis of endometriosis,
  • Aged 18 years or older,
  • Regularly experience pelvic pain and other endometriosis symptoms,
  • Endometriosis lesions are visible on ultrasound (this can be arranged with the study team if unknown).

We will not be able to accept participants if they:

  • Have a condition incompatible with cold-water immersion (e.g., coronary heart disease).
  • Are pregnant or planning pregnancy during the trial.
  • Have had surgery for endometriosis in the past 12 months.
  • Are planning to have surgery for endometriosis during the trial.
     

What does the research involve?

Baseline phase (1-6 weeks):
Participants will record details of their pelvic pain and endometriosis symptoms each day via an app on their mobile device (approx. 10 mins per day). They will also have one ultrasound to measure their endometriosis lesions (approx. one hour), one blood test to measure systemic inflammation (approx. 10 mins), and complete a set of surveys on their overall wellbeing (approx. 30 mins).

Intervention phase (12 weeks):
Participants will attend one training workshop to learn the breathing, meditation, and cold-water immersion techniques (approx. 3 hours). They will then perform the breathing and meditation exercises at home as often as they like (approx. 30 mins per session). A supervised cold-water immersion (ice bath) will be available twice per week at the study location for participants to use as desired (approx. 20 mins per session). At these optional sessions, they will also be able to practice the breathing and meditation techniques with the trainer.

Participants will record their use of the method via an app on their mobile device (approx. 5 mins per session). They will also continue to record their pelvic pain and endometriosis symptoms daily (approx. 10 mins per day). At the middle (6 weeks) and end (12 weeks) of this study phase, participants will have a second and third blood test to measure systemic inflammation (approx. 10 mins), and complete a second and third set of surveys on their overall wellbeing (approx. 30 mins).

Follow-up phase (8 weeks):
Participants will continue to engage with the method as often as they like (approx. 30 mins per session, excluding an ice bath), recording their activity via an app on their mobile device (approx. 5 mins per session). They will also continue to record their pelvic pain and endometriosis symptoms daily (approx. 10 mins per day). At the end of this study phase (8 weeks), participants will have a second ultrasound to measure their endometriosis lesions (approx. one hour), a fourth blood test to measure systemic inflammation (approx. 10 mins), and complete a fourth set of surveys on their overall wellbeing (approx. 30 mins).

How do I get involved?

Prospective participants can register their interest in the study and determine their eligibility by clicking on the link below. 

For more information, please email the EndoChill Study Coordinators, Dr Kelsi Dodds and Mr Joshua Woenig (endochill@adelaide.edu.au).

Click here