University of Stirling lends expertise to a national trial for endometriosis treatment

The University of Stirling is supporting the development of an innovative pain management programme that will be tested as part of a major £2.3 million UK-wide study aimed at improving the lives of women living with endometriosis. 

Led by the University of Aberdeen in partnership with NHS Grampian, the five-year project will explore whether a tailor-made, remotely delivered pain management programme can improve quality of life for women whose symptoms are not adequately controlled by surgery or medication. 

Endometriosis affects around one in 10 women and can cause persistent pelvic pain, chronic fatigue and a range of symptoms that impact daily life, relationships, work and fertility. Despite existing treatments, many women continue to experience ongoing pain, with symptoms often returning after surgery. 

The study is the first of its kind to evaluate whether an endometriosis-specific Pain Management Programme (e-PMP) can provide a more effective and sustainable approach to managing chronic pain associated with the condition. 

Researchers will compare outcomes for women receiving the new programme alongside standard care, with those receiving standard care alone. The 12-week programme has been designed specifically for people with endometriosis and combines Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), informed psychotherapy, specialist physiotherapy, guidance on relationships and communication, self-compassion techniques, and medication optimisation. 

Dr Chris Seenan, Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy at the University of Stirling and a member of the trial management group, is helping to develop the programme and contributing expertise in physiotherapy, rehabilitation and trial delivery. 

He said: “This trial has the potential to improve support for people living with endometriosis by developing and evaluating a structured pain management programme. It's exciting to be involved in a collaborative study that brings together expertise from across the UK to address an important and often overlooked health issue.” 

The research is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and is being conducted by a multidisciplinary team from universities, NHS organisations and patient groups across the UK. 

Dr Lucky Saraswat, Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen, Consultant Gynaecologist and lead for the Aberdeen Endometriosis Centre in NHS Grampian, who is leading the study, said: “Endometriosis is one of the most common yet under researched causes of chronic pain. Many women continue to suffer even after surgery or medication. 

“This study will help us understand whether a tailored, interdisciplinary pain management programme can offer meaningful, long‑term improvements in quality of life. 

“If effective, e‑PMP could become a vital new treatment option, particularly for women who wish to avoid repeated surgery or hormonal therapies, or who are planning a pregnancy.” 

Alongside health outcomes, the project will assess the programme's cost-effectiveness and its potential role in shaping future approaches to endometriosis care. 

Women eligible to participate in the study will be identified and recruited through specialist clinical services. 

Professor Anthony Gordon, Director of NIHR's Health Technology Assessment Programme, which is funding the research, said: “Many women can face years of agonising symptoms with few lasting options. High-quality research is essential to break this cycle and deliver treatment that addresses the full, complex impact of endometriosis.” 

Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK, said: “Symptoms of endometriosis including chronic pelvic pain can have a significant impact on someone’s physical and mental health, and research is vital to helping improve management and treatment options. 

“We welcome this much needed research and look forward to working with the team to see how an endometriosis specific pain management programme could support those with the disease in the future.”