Effect of lumbar proprioception training on females with primary dysmenorrhea: a review of current evidence

Background. Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a leading cause of menstrual pain in reproductive-age women. While traditionally associated with prostaglandin-driven uterine contractions, emerging research highlights neuromuscular contributions—particularly lumbar sensorimotor dysfunction. Aim. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on lumbar sensorimotor control in PD, with emphasis on repositioning accuracy, associated neuromuscular deficits, and the potential of proprioceptive training as a non-pharmacological intervention. Methods. A literature review was conducted through June 2025 across eight databases using MeSH terms including “primary dysmenorrhea,” “lumbar proprioception,” “repositioning accuracy,” and “sensorimotor control.” Studies were eligible if they assessed trunk proprioception or interventions targeting lumbar sensorimotor function in PD or related pain conditions. Results. Six studies met inclusion criteria: two RCTs (one ongoing), one pilot case study, one observational study in PD, one cross-sectional low back pain study, and one systematic review. Across all studies, findings consistently indicate impaired proprioceptive control in pain-related populations. While core-based exercise interventions appear to improve proprioceptive accuracy and reduce pain, direct evidence specific to lumbar repositioning in PD remains limited and methodologically inconsistent. Conclusion. Preliminary evidence supports lumbar proprioception training as a novel adjunct in PD. High-quality RCTs with objective neuromuscular metrics are needed to validate these findings and inform clinical practice.