Resistive Exercise and Stretching in Women With Dysmenorrhea

Karabuk University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Dysmenorrhea Primary

Treatments: Other: Stretching Exercise group; Other: Resisted Exercise group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06500520

women Health

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study highlights the importance of exercise for young women with primary dysmenorrhea. Exercise can help relieve the symptoms of dysmenorrhea by increasing blood flow and promoting the release of endorphins. Additionally, exercise can improve the overall quality of life by reducing stress and anxiety. A comprehensive comparison of the effects of especially resistant exercises and stretching exercises on menstrual pain is based on limited findings in the literature. Therefore, this study aims to make a significant contribution to clinical practice by evaluating the effectiveness and feasibility of these exercise types.

Full description

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common condition that seriously affects women's quality of life, and alternative methods other than pharmacotherapy are often investigated. Exercise may play a potential role in reducing the symptoms of dysmenorrhea by increasing blood flow and promoting the release of endorphins. Additionally, exercise can improve the overall quality of life by reducing stress and anxiety. However, studies comparing the specific effects of resistance exercises and stretching exercises on dysmenorrhea are limited and do not provide clear guidance on this subject. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of these two types of exercise in young women with primary dysmenorrhea. The results of the research can guide healthcare professionals by providing information on which type of exercise may be more effective in clinical practice. The importance of exercise as a non-pharmacological treatment option is emphasized, and it is aimed at making a significant contribution to the wide acceptance and application of such treatments.

Enrollment: 54 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 25 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Having a score of 60 points or above on the menstrual symptoms scale
• Having a regular menstrual cycle (24-35 days)
• Not doing any exercise regularly
• Being between the ages of 18 and 25
• Nulliparity
• Being cooperative and oriented
• Volunteering to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

• Having a medical history of chronic disease (cardiopulmonary, neurological, thyroid gland diseases)
• Having a history of regular exercise
• Engaging in regular sexual activity
• Having undergone gynecological surgical procedures
• Using hormonal contraceptive drugs or intrauterine devices
• Using a drug that causes dysmenorrhea
• Pelvic pathology, pelvic inflammatory diseases, endometriosis, etc. Having a disease that causes secondary dysmenorrhea
• Using antidepressant medication
• Having acute musculoskeletal system problems

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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54 participants in 3 patient groups

Resisted Exercise group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants underwent resistance training for 8 weeks, focusing on trunk, upper, and lower body segments with 10-12 reps per exercise at 30-65% intensity. Sessions lasted 50-60 minutes, 3 times weekly

Treatment:

Other: Resisted Exercise group

Stretching Exercise group

Active Comparator group

Description:

The participants were made to perform stretching exercises, selected by reviewing the literature, under supervision 3 days a week for 8 weeks, and they were asked not to do any other exercises during this intervention period.

Treatment:

Other: Stretching Exercise group

control group

No Intervention group

Description:

No treatment was applied to the control group; they were allowed to use painkillers and continued their normal daily lives.