A soak for relief: testing magnesium footbaths against menstrual cramps
NCT ID NCT07726264
First seen Jul 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026
Summary
This trial investigates whether a 20-minute warm-water footbath containing magnesium sulfate can reduce pain in women with primary dysmenorrhea (painful periods). Around 120 women aged 18–35 are randomly assigned to receive the magnesium footbath, a plain warm-water footbath, or no intervention during the first three days of their period. Pain is measured before and up to two hours after the footbath using standard pain scales.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- a warm-water footbath containing magnesium sulfate
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free way to reduce period pain at home.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial. The effect may be no better than a plain warm-water footbath, and results may not apply to all women.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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120 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Sep 2025
- Finished
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May 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 35 years
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Women aged 18-35 years * Having regular menstrual cycles * Experiencing primary dysmenorrhea * Having a menstrual pain score of at least 3 on the Visual Analogue Scale * Engaging in physical activity no more than twice per week * Having a body mass index of 29.9 kg/m² or lower * Willing to participate and providing informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Previous childbirth * Presence of varicose veins, open wounds, or skin lesions on the feet or lower legs * Presence of an acute or chronic foot condition * Medical advice against warm-water footbath use * Use of hormonal contraceptives * Frequent use of anti-inflammatory or analgesic medications
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Kocaeli University
Kocaeli, 41380, Turkey (Türkiye)
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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