The Effect of Acupressure and Mindfulness to Cope With Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) on PMS and Quality of Life
Condition: Premenstrual Syndrome
MeSH terms: Syndrome; Premenstrual Syndrome
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The research was carried out to determine the effect of acupressure and mindfulness practice
      to cope with premenstrual syndrome on premenstrual symptoms and quality of life. The sample
      of the study consisted of a total of 270 students, 90 of which were acupressure, 90
      mindfulness and 90 control groups. In the study, data were collected with the Participant
      Information Form, PMSS and WHOQOL-BREF. The acupressure group was asked to apply acupressure
      two days a week for 12 weeks, a total of 24 times. In the mindfulness group, 8 weeks of
      Conscious Awareness Stress Reduction Program was applied, after which the students were asked
      to practice mindfulness for 3 cycles. Students in both experimental groups were asked to stop
      the practices after acupressure and mindfulness practices. PMSS and WHOQOL-BREF were applied
      to both experimental and control groups as an intermediate test 12 weeks after the pre-test
      and a post-test 24 weeks later.
    

Detailed description: 
      Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a gynecological condition consisting of physical,
      psychological and behavioral symptoms that occur 7-10 days before menstruation and end with
      the onset of menstruation. Symptoms are divided into three groups as mild, moderate and
      severe. The prevalence of PMS is reported to be 47.8% on average worldwide. About 20% of
      these are severe symptoms and may affect women's daily activities, while 27.8% are mild to
      moderate symptoms. PMS reduces daily activities, sleep quality and cognitive functions of
      women of reproductive age. However, it can negatively affect women's health, interpersonal
      relationships, academic performance, attendance at work and school, and quality of life. In
      the treatment of PMS, 80% of women prefer non-pharmacological treatment. Non-pharmacological
      methods such as lifestyle changes, music, massage, yoga, aromatherapy, reflexology,
      homeopathy, cognitive behavioral therapy, emotional liberation technique, reiki, acupuncture,
      mindfulness, acupressure methods are frequently used in the treatment of PMS. The population
      of the research consists of 1006 female students, 598 of whom are studying at İnönü
      University Faculty of Nursing and 408 female students studying at Bartın University Faculty
      of Health Sciences. The sample of the study was determined by power analysis with an effect
      size of 0.22, a confidence interval of 0.95 determined by an error level of 0.05, a sample
      size of 90 for each group (90 in the acupressure group, 90 in the mindfulness group, and 90
      in the control group) with 0.95 universe representation power. group 90) female students with
      a total of 270 PMS were determined. However, it was decided to include an additional 10
      students for each group, taking into account the losses that may occur during the study. In
      the study, 100 acupressure, 100 mindfulness and 100 female students formed the control group.
      In the study, which university would be included in the control and experimental groups was
      determined by drawing lots. The draw was made blind by an academic independent of the
      research. As a result of the lottery, the control group of the research was formed by the
      students of İnönü University Faculty of Nursing, and the experimental groups were students
      studying at the Faculty of Health Sciences of Bartın University. Students from each faculty
      to be included in the study were determined using a computer-assisted simple random sampling
      method. Students in the experimental and control groups were determined according to an
      algorithm created by a computer program called Research Randomizer. For the control group,
      598 female students in İnönü University Nursing Department, numbers from 1 to 598 were
      randomly divided into a single set.For the experimental groups, 408 female students from the
      Faculty of Health Sciences of Bartın University were randomly divided into two sets (100
      acupressure, 100 mindfulness), numbers numbered from 1 to 200. Which set will be acupressure
      and mindfulness group was determined by drawing lots. A research-independent academician made
      the selection blindly. As a result of the draw, it was determined that the first set was the
      acupressure group, and the second set was the mindfulness group. The assignment of the
      students to the experimental and control groups was made using the simple randomization
      method. Students were sorted by student number before randomization. Experimental and control
      groups were determined by the order given by the computer program Research Randomizer. The
      students who scored 110 and above were included in the study, after which the PMSS scale was
      applied to the determined students. In the study, it was accepted that 338 students who
      scored 110 and above from the scale experienced PMS. In the study, data were collected with
      the Participant Information Form, PMSS and WHOQOL-BREF. The acupressure group was asked to
      apply acupressure two days a week for 12 weeks, a total of 24 times. In the mindfulness
      group, 8 weeks of Conscious Awareness Stress Reduction Program was applied, after which the
      students were asked to practice mindfulness for 3 cycles. Students in both experimental
      groups were asked to stop the practices after acupressure and mindfulness practices. PMSS and
      WHOQOL-BREF were applied to both experimental and control groups as an intermediate test 12
      weeks after the pre-test and a post-test 24 weeks later.
    

Intervention name(s): Acupresur; Mindfulness; Plasebo
Intervention type(s): Procedure; Procedure; Procedure
Intervention description(s): acupressure application was applied 2 times a week for a total of 12 weeks and 24 times.; Mindfulness practice was applied with the students once a week for 8 weeks, accompanied by a researcher. Then, students were asked to apply for 3 cycles.; No intervention was applied to the control group.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Intervention model description: randomized controlled trial
Masking: Single (Participant)
Primary purpose: Supportive Care
Keywords: Acupressure; Mındfulness; Nurse; Quality of life