Effect of Active Stretching Exercises on Primary Dysmenorrhea in College Going Female Students Patel Neha S, Associated Professor, Tanna Tanvi, Internee, Bhatt Sweta*, Internee Shree B. G. Patel College of Physiotherapy, Opp. General Post Office, J.P.Road, Anand, Gujarat *Corresponding author: Sweta Bhatt, 17, Amul colony, Amul Dairy, Anand- 388001, Gujarat Email: tweetyksia@yahoo.com, jaswepa@yahoo.com
Online published on 19 June, 2015. Abstract Introduction Dysmenorrhea is most common disorder among menstruating young adult girls. Active stretching exercises has been promoted as a preventive regimen for dysmenorrhea hence the purpose of this research project is to investigate the effect of active stretching exercises on symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea. Material and method 120 girls aged between 17- 25 years with moderate-to-severe primary dysmenorrhea were selected from Shree B. G Patel College of physiotherapy, Anand and Shree Jalaramgirls hostel, V. V Nagar. The students were non-athletes and volunteered for the study. The participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: an experimental group (n = 60) and a control group (n = 60). In the intervention group, the subjects were requested to complete six active stretching exercises for 8 weeks (3 days per week, 2 times a day) at home. In the pre-test, all the subjects were examined for pain intensity (10-point scale, visual analogue scale), pain duration and other signs and symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea using Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. Results After 8 weeks, pain intensity in experimental group was reduced from 7.1 to 3.0(p<0.0001) MMDQ score was reduced from 99.15 to 65.92 (p<0.0001). In the control group there was no significant decline in pain intensity or other sign and symptoms of dysmenorrhea. Conclusion Active stretching exercises decrease pain and other signs and symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea. Top Keywords Dysmenorrhea, Primary Dysmenorrhea, Active Stretching Exercises, Visual Analogue Scale, Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. Top |