Physical Activity Helpful for Women with Chronic Pelvic Pain
/By Pat Anson
About 1 in 7 women worldwide suffer from a gynecological or chronic pelvic pain disorder (CPPD) such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids – conditions that often don’t respond well to medical treatment.
With their pain and other symptoms poorly treated or even misdiagnosed, it’s not surprising then that many women with CPPDs suffer from depression, anxiety and a poor quality of life.
A new study at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai suggests that moderate physical activity like brisk walking or aerobic exercise can improve the mental health of women who have a CPPD.
"Chronic pelvic pain disorders are incredibly complex and burdensome for those affected, yet we still have very few effective treatment strategies," says lead author Ipek Ensari, PhD, an Assistant Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health at the Icahn School. "Our research suggests that physical activity could be an important tool for improving mental health in these patients, offering them a proactive way to enhance their well-being."
Ensari and her colleagues followed 76 women with CPPDs over 14 weeks using mobile health technology, collecting over 4,200 days’ worth of data. The mean average age of the women was 35. Nearly half (43%) said their mental health was only fair or poor, and 28% had previously been diagnosed with anxiety or a mood disorder.
Participants self-reported their mental health, physical functioning, and pain levels weekly on an app (ehive), while Fitbit devices measured their daily physical activity.
The study findings, recently published in the Journal of Pain Research, show a strong association between physical activity and good mental health. Women who did not reach recommended levels of physical activity had higher pain levels and poorer mental health, while those who were physically active had better mental health and physical functioning.
One key finding was that the benefits of physical activity appear to accumulate over time, rather than provide immediate relief.
"We were particularly intrigued to find that the positive effects of exercise seem to lag by a few days, meaning the mental health benefits may build up gradually," said Ensari. "This insight is vital for both patients and health care providers, as it underscores the importance of consistency in physical activity."
The study is believed to be the first to use data collected in real time on the positive effects of physical activity on the mental health of women with CPPDs. It also demonstrates the potential of artificial intelligence and mobile health technology in chronic disease management.
“By using innovative data modeling techniques, we can better understand how lifestyle factors like physical activity interact with health conditions and pave the way for more personalized treatment approaches," says Girish Nadkarni, MD, Chair of the Windreich Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health at the Icahn School.
Endometriosis can have a profound impact on a person’s life. A recent study found that over two-thirds of women with endometriosis missed school or work due to pain from the condition. Women with endometriosis may struggle to keep up with their classes, friends, homework or extracurricular activities. It can also cause pain during sex, putting a strain on romantic relationships.
