Combined Effects of Kegel Exercises and 4-7-8 Breathing Technique in Primary Dysmenorrhea

Combined Effects of Kegel Exercises and 4-7-8 Breathing Technique on Pain Intensity, Symptom Severity and Functional Activity in Primary Dysmenorrhea

A randomized clinical trial will be conducted at Riphah International University QIE Campus in Lahore, using non-probability convenience sampling with 28 participants. Criteria include women aged 14-26, nulliparous, experiencing primary dysmenorrhea, with normal menstrual cycles and the ability to exercise independently. Group A will receive kegel exercises and 4-7-8 breathing techniques over 8 weeks, while Group B will only receive the breathing technique. Assessments will be done on menstrual cycle days, with follow-ups at weeks 4 and 8 using specific scales. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 27.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Primary Dysmenorrhea
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: KegelExercise; Other: 4-7-8 breathing technique

Detailed Description

This study will be a randomized clinical trial. Riphah International University QIE Campus in Lahore will serve as the site of data collecting and intervention services. Non-probability convenience sampling will be the method of sampling. The study's sample size will be 28 participants. Inclusion criteria for this study will be: women between ages 14-26 years, nulliparous women, with a score greater than 4 in WALIDD primary dysmenorrhea intensity scales, history of normal menstrual cycles that lasts 3-7 days and ranged from 21- 35 days, ability to perform exercises independently. Group A will be given kegel exercises as well as 4-7-8 breathing techniques for a total of 8 weeks with 4 sessions per week. Whereas, group B will be given the 4-7-8 breathing technique only. Initial assessment will be taken on the 3rd day of menstrual period. Follow-up assessment will be taken after week 4 post interventions and final assessment will be done after week 8 post intervention. WaLIDD primary dysmenorrhea intensity scale, Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PESQ), and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) will be the data collecting instruments.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 28
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Ghulam Fatima, PhD*; Phone Number: +923034073057; Email: ghulam.fatima@riphah.edu.pk

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Punjab
    • Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, 54700
      • Riphah International University Clinic
      • Contact: Ghulam Fatima; Phone Number: +923034073057; Email: ghulam.fatima@riphah.edu.pk

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Nulliparous women
• Women with a score greater than 4 on WALIDD primary dysmenorrhea intensity scale
• Women having a history of normal menstrual cycles that lasts 3-7 days and range from 21- 35 days.
• Ability to perform exercises independently

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women with very mild primary dysmenorrhea
• Women treated for ovarian cysts or other gynecological issues
• Women currently taking medication for dysmenorrhea
• History of any systemic illness
• A history of psychological conditions that could influence the perception of pain and functional activity.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Kegel Exercise with4-7-8 Breathing technique group: GroupAwill be given the intervention of kegel exercises as well as 4-7-8 breathing techniques for about 15 minutes per session for a total of 8 weeks with 4 sessions per week. To perform kegel exercises, tighten pelvic floor muscles like trying to hold in urine and stool. 4-7-8 breathing Technique can be performed by telling the participant to inhale to the count of 4. Hold their breath for 7 counts. To the count of 8, release air via their mouth.	Other: KegelExercise; Kegel exercises (also called pelvic floor exercises)will be used to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles it will involve repeatedly contracting and relaxing the muscles that form part of the pelvic floor.; Other: 4-7-8 breathing technique; This can be performed in the following way: Participants taking part should locate a comfy spot to sit. Inhale to the count of 4. Hold their breath for 7 counts. To the count of 8, release air via their mouth.
Active Comparator: 4-7-8 Breathing Technique group; In this group, we only perform the 4-7-8 Breathing Technique by telling the participant to inhale to the count of 4. Hold their breath for 7 counts. To the count of 8, release air via their mouth.	Other: 4-7-8 breathing technique; This can be performed in the following way: Participants taking part should locate a comfy spot to sit. Inhale to the count of 4. Hold their breath for 7 counts. To the count of 8, release air via their mouth.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Numeric Pain Rating Scale	TheNPRSisa popular patient-reported response scale is the NPRS. The most widely used form of the NPRS is the ordinal 11-point version (0-no pain, 10-most extreme pain). A line or bar that is horizontal is the standard format. The NPRS is anchored by phrases that describe extremes of pain severity.	up to 8 weeks
WALIDD Primary Dysmenorrhea Intensity Scale	WaLIDD stands for working ability, location, intensity, days of pain, dysmenorrhea. It is used to diagnose Primary dysmenorrhea as well its pain intensity and severity of symptoms. It is a new tool established and used in many researches and practices as a questionnaire to evaluate whether women are suffering from primary dysmenorrhea or not. The WaLIDD instrument is part of a confidential questionnaire that inquires about every factor to be examined, as well as details about age, menarche, menstrual cycle features, type and number of nonsurgical treatments used to manage dysmenorrhea, number of days of medical leave taken for dysmenorrhea.	up to 8 weeks
Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ)	The Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ) is a valid instrument that is widely used to evaluate a person's comfort level with chronic pain management. Rhe PSEQ measures self-efficacy beliefs in pain management and how important it is to comprehend how pain affects both functional and emotional elements of life.	up to 8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Riphah International University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Nirmal Zahid, MS*, Riphah International University, Lahore, Pakistan

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Bernardi M, Lazzeri L, Perelli F, Reis FM, Petraglia F. Dysmenorrhea and related disorders. F1000Res. 2017 Sep 5;6:1645. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.11682.1. eCollection 2017.
• Abreu-Sanchez A, Parra-Fernandez ML, Onieva-Zafra MD, Ramos-Pichardo JD, Fernandez-Martinez E. Type of Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Characteristics and Symptoms in Nursing Students in Southern Spain. Healthcare (Basel). 2020 Aug 26;8(3):302. doi: 10.3390/healthcare8030302.
• Bakhsh H, Algenaimi E, Aldhuwayhi R, AboWadaan M. Prevalence of dysmenorrhea among reproductive age group in Saudi Women. BMC Womens Health. 2022 Mar 19;22(1):78. doi: 10.1186/s12905-022-01654-9.
• Matsas A, Sachinidis A, Lamprinou M, Stamoula E, Christopoulos P. Vitamin Effects in Primary Dysmenorrhea. Life (Basel). 2023 Jun 1;13(6):1308. doi: 10.3390/life13061308.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): April 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 20, 2024
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 5, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 25, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 25, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): April 1, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 3, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 2, 2024
• Last Verified: April 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Breathing Exercises; Relaxation Techniques; Kegel Exercises
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Menstruation Disturbances; Pelvic Pain; Dysmenorrhea
• Other Study ID Numbers: REC/RCR & AHS/23/0570

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No