Stretching Exercises on Symptoms of Primary Dysmenorrhea

Efficacy of Active Stretching Exercises on Symptoms of Primary Dysmenorrhea

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of active stretching exercises on reducing pain and the quality of life during menstrual cycle in young adult females.

Thirty females with primary dysmenorrhea, aging between 18 to 23 years with BMI of 20-29.9 kg/m2, have a regular menstrual cycle length 28-30 day and cycle bleed from 3 to 7 days, were randomly assigned into three equal groups; two interventions groups (supervised and non-supervised active stretching exercise program) and one control group. The intervention group A practiced a 30 to 45-minute supervised active stretching program three times a week for four weeks, while the other intervention group B practiced non-supervised active stretching home program and the control group C . Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to measure pain intensity, and Verbal Multidimensional System (VMS) for measuring menstruation characteristics and the effect of pain on quality of life, before (pre) as well as after (post) 4 weeks at the end of the study .

Inclusion Criteria:

• BMI of 20-29.9 kg/m2,
• regular menstrual cycle
• length 28-30 day
• cycle bleed from 3 to 7 days,

Exclusion Criteria:

• contraindication to stretching exercise
• taking any hormonal medications:
• smoker