Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: The effect of 8 weeks aerobic exercise on severity of physical symptoms of premenstrual 
syndrome: A clinical trial Study  
 
Version: 0 Date: 02 Feb 2018  
 
Reviewer: AHMED MAGED  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Dr, Zahra and her colleagues tried to study the effect of 8 weeks aerobic exercise on severity of 
physical symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. It’s an interesting study. However it needs major 
revision to be accepted.  
Title Type of the study must be mentioned  
Sample size calculation: The authors used their own pilot trial while they can use a  published 
research to calculate it. They can use either  
Effect of swimming exercise on premenstrual syndrome. Maged AM, Abbassy AH, Sakr HRS, 
Elsawah H, Wagih H, Ogila AI, Kotb A. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2018 Jan 19. doi: 
10.1007/s00404 -018-4664 -1 or Effect of aerobic excercise  on PMS in Journal of OB and gyn 
2015 by ElLithy at al.  
Also the claimed a sample size at least of 35 in each arm and the control arm finally is 30 only so 
they would have consider drop out cases  in methods  both the interim screening an d depression 
questionnaire are lacking  many Exclusion criteria are lacking: Women with neurological , 
psychological disorders, women under hormonal treatment,  women with endocrinological 
diseases, women with local lesions causing pain as PID  
The included wo men were all virgins or married and if married what about the details of 
previous deliveries  
If pulse is more than 120 so all athletes must be excluded as they have a slower heart rate  
Results the change of score for each symptoms in the intervention group  must be calculated i.e to 
compare same women before and after exercise  
The discussion have repetition of results without explanation of the physiological explanation for 
the results  
Many of the related studies must be added as Maged et al and ElLithy et  al as they are both 
closely related to the trial  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an  
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects req uire further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being published  
 
Declaration of competin g interests  
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