RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Whole-Body Cryotherapy as a Non-Pharmacological Treatment to Reduce Chronic Pelvic Pain and Improve Quality of Life in People With Endometriosis

This study aims to discover if whole-body cryotherapy, a treatment where you spend a few minutes in a very cold chamber, can reduce chronic pelvic pain and improve quality of life for people with endometriosis. Endometriosis is a common condition causing ongoing pain, and current treatments don't always fully help everyone. Researchers will recruit up to 30 participants who have had pain for over six months. Participants will attend two hospital visits and, in between, receive five cryotherapy sessions. They’ll also provide various samples (blood, saliva, etc.) and complete questionnaires about their pain, sleep, fatigue, and overall well-being. The active study lasts about 4-6 weeks, with a final check-up at 15 weeks.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Edinburgh

Enrolment target

Start

09 Apr 2026

Estimated completion

31 May 2027

Endometriosis

What is this study about?

Endometriosis is a common condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows elsewhere in the body. This can cause long-lasting (chronic) pelvic pain, which can significantly affect a person's daily life and overall well-being. Even with current treatments like hormones and surgery, many people still experience ongoing pain, meaning there's a real need for new ways to manage symptoms.

This study is exploring a treatment called whole-body cryotherapy (WBC). This involves briefly standing in a special chamber where you're exposed to very cold, dry air, typically around -120°C. WBC has been looked at for other long-term health conditions and appears to help reduce inflammation and pain. The researchers want to see if it can have similar beneficial effects for people with endometriosis-related pain.

This is a small, early-stage study to see if cryotherapy is a safe and acceptable option for endometriosis patients, and if it shows promise in reducing pain and improving quality of life. The researchers will also be collecting samples like blood and saliva to understand if cryotherapy changes any internal inflammation or other biological markers linked to endometriosis symptoms.

Key takeaways

Exploring whole-body cryotherapy for endometriosis pain.
Aims to reduce pain and improve quality of life.
Involves brief exposure to very cold temperatures.
Small study of up to 30 people.
Includes hospital visits, cryotherapy sessions, and questionnaires.
Total involvement is about 15 weeks.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be a woman or someone assigned female at birth, aged 16 or older, and have a diagnosis of endometriosis that was confirmed within the last ten years by a keyhole surgery (laparoscopy) or scans. You should also have had ongoing pelvic pain for more than six months and be happy to follow the study instructions and use effective contraception during the trial if needed.

There are certain reasons why you wouldn't be able to take part. This includes if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or actively trying to get pregnant, or if you've gone through menopause. You also can't join if you've had a hysterectomy where both ovaries were also removed, or if you have specific health conditions such as Raynaud's disease, certain heart conditions, diabetes, severe claustrophobia, or some serious infections. The research team will review your full medical history to confirm if this study is right for you.

It’s important that your health is suitable for cryotherapy, so conditions like uncontrolled seizures, severe high blood pressure, or a history of blood clots would also mean you couldn’t participate. The study aims to be as safe as possible for everyone involved.

Quick self-check

Are you a woman or assigned female at birth, aged 16 or over?
Do you have a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis (within the last 10 years)?
Have you had ongoing pelvic pain for more than six months?
Are you able to use effective contraception if needed?
Are you not pregnant, breastfeeding, or actively trying to get pregnant?
Do you not have conditions like severe claustrophobia, uncontrolled seizures, or certain heart problems?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, your total involvement in the study will be around 15 weeks. You'll have two in-person study visits at the hospital, about four weeks apart. In between these visits, you'll undergo five whole-body cryotherapy sessions, each lasting about 3 minutes. During these sessions, you'll stand in a special chamber exposed to very cold air.

Throughout the study, you'll provide various samples, including blood, saliva, urine, vaginal, and stool samples. You'll also complete questionnaires about your pain levels, quality of life, sleep, tiredness, how your gut feels, and your overall well-being. The active part of the study where you have cryotherapy and assessments will last about 4-6 weeks. Afterwards, there will be a final check-up at week 15, which will involve filling out more questionnaires and potentially collecting some samples yourself from home.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in research always carries some potential benefits and risks. You might benefit from a reduction in your chronic pelvic pain and an improved quality of life if whole-body cryotherapy is effective for your endometriosis symptoms. You would also be contributing valuable information that could help others with endometriosis in the future. Potential risks are generally associated with exposure to extreme cold, such as temporary skin redness or tingling, or discomfort if you are claustrophobic. The research team will explain all potential risks in detail, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, which will not affect your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh and Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is whole-body cryotherapy?

It's a treatment where you spend a short amount of time (around 3 minutes) in a chamber exposed to very cold, dry air (about -120°C).

How many times will I have cryotherapy?

You will have five cryotherapy sessions during the study, spread over about two weeks.

What kind of samples will I need to give?

You'll be asked to provide blood, saliva, urine, vaginal, and stool samples at different points in the study.

How long will I be involved in the study?

The active part of the study where you visit the hospital and have cryotherapy lasts about 4-6 weeks, with a final check-up at 15 weeks.

Will I be paid to take part?

The study information provided does not mention payment for participation.

How to find out more

Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.