Stretching Exercises on Symptoms of Primary Dysmenorrhea

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Detailed Description
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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 .

Official Title
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Efficacy of Active Stretching Exercises on Symptoms of Primary Dysmenorrhea

Conditions
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Primary Dysmenorrhea

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: supervised stretching exercises
* Other: non-supervised active stretching home program


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 23 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: supervised stretching exercises :group A<br>The intervention group A practiced a 30 to 45-minute supervised active stretching program three times a week for four weeks | Other: supervised stretching exercises<br>* 30 to 45-minute supervised active stretching program by a trained physical therapist, three times a week for four weeks starting with a warmup of 5 minutes on a stationary bicycle, half jumping jacks and torso rotations<br>* Other names: home program stretching exercises;|
| Active Comparator: non-supervised active stretching home program: group B<br>practiced non-supervised active stretching home program | Other: non-supervised active stretching home program<br>* non supervised 30 to 45-minute supervised active stretching program three times a week for four weeks starting with a warmup of 5 minutes on a stationary bicycle, half jumping jacks and torso rotations<br>* Other names: home program of stretching exercises;|
| No Intervention: Standard of care: group c<br>control group | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Visual Analog Scale (VAS) | Visual Analog Scale measures pain intensity it is a unidimensional measure of pain intensity The classification of VAS was done according to pain scores (mild: 1-3 Moderate: 4-7 Severe: 8-10) | Change from Baseline at pain intensity 4 weeks after | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Verbal Multidimensional System(VMS) | Verbal Multidimensional System which is a grading system from zero to three and used to evaluate menstruation characteristics including the working ability, the systemic symptoms and analgesia requirement in order to decrease pain with dysmenorrhea | Change from Baseline amenstruation characteristics 4 weeks after |