Resistive Exercise and Stretching in Women With Dysmenorrhea

Comparison of the Effects of Resistant Exercise and Stretching Exercises on Menstrual Symptoms, Quality of Life, Functional and Emotional Status in Young Women With Primary Dysmenorrhea

This study highlights the importance of exercise for young women with primary dysmenorrhea. Exercise can help relieve the symptoms of dysmenorrhea by increasing blood flow and promoting the release of endorphins. Additionally, exercise can improve the overall quality of life by reducing stress and anxiety. A comprehensive comparison of the effects of especially resistant exercises and stretching exercises on menstrual pain is based on limited findings in the literature. Therefore, this study aims to make a significant contribution to clinical practice by evaluating the effectiveness and feasibility of these exercise types.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Dysmenorrhea Primary
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Resisted Exercise group; Other: Stretching Exercise group

Detailed Description

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common condition that seriously affects women's quality of life, and alternative methods other than pharmacotherapy are often investigated. Exercise may play a potential role in reducing the symptoms of dysmenorrhea by increasing blood flow and promoting the release of endorphins. Additionally, exercise can improve the overall quality of life by reducing stress and anxiety. However, studies comparing the specific effects of resistance exercises and stretching exercises on dysmenorrhea are limited and do not provide clear guidance on this subject. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of these two types of exercise in young women with primary dysmenorrhea. The results of the research can guide healthcare professionals by providing information on which type of exercise may be more effective in clinical practice. The importance of exercise as a non-pharmacological treatment option is emphasized, and it is aimed at making a significant contribution to the wide acceptance and application of such treatments.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 54
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Karabük, Turkey, 78000
    • Karabuk University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having a score of 60 points or above on the menstrual symptoms scale
• Having a regular menstrual cycle (24-35 days)
• Not doing any exercise regularly
• Being between the ages of 18 and 25
• Nulliparity
• Being cooperative and oriented
• Volunteering to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a medical history of chronic disease (cardiopulmonary, neurological, thyroid gland diseases)
• Having a history of regular exercise
• Engaging in regular sexual activity
• Having undergone gynecological surgical procedures
• Using hormonal contraceptive drugs or intrauterine devices
• Using a drug that causes dysmenorrhea
• Pelvic pathology, pelvic inflammatory diseases, endometriosis, etc. Having a disease that causes secondary dysmenorrhea
• Using antidepressant medication
• Having acute musculoskeletal system problems

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Resisted Exercise group; Participants underwent resistance training for 8 weeks, focusing on trunk, upper, and lower body segments with 10-12 reps per exercise at 30-65% intensity. Sessions lasted 50-60 minutes, 3 times weekly	Other: Resisted Exercise group; The resisted exercise training program targeted trunk, upper, and lower body segments with 10-12 repetitions at 30-65% intensity, lasting 50-60 minutes per session, 3 times weekly for 8 weeks. Participants determined their maximal repetition through trial training. Maximal power was assessed using concentric 1-maximal repetition (MT). Following a 2-3 minute rest and a 5-minute warm-up (walking), participants performed the 1-MT test to establish their heaviest lift with the correct technique, adjusting resistance levels accordingly. The circuit-style training spanned 9 stations with 2-3 sets per station, each circuit lasting 2-3 minutes with 90-second rests between sets. A 5-minute warm-up and cool-down (walking) preceded and followed each session. Exercises included bilateral elbow flexion, chest press, bilateral shoulder abduction, bilateral knee extension, back extension, sit-ups, knee flexion, hip abduction, and hip adduction.
Active Comparator: Stretching Exercise group; The participants were made to perform stretching exercises, selected by reviewing the literature, under supervision 3 days a week for 8 weeks, and they were asked not to do any other exercises during this intervention period.	Other: Stretching Exercise group; The participants were made to perform stretching exercises, selected by reviewing the literature, under supervision 3 days a week for 8 weeks, and they were asked not to do any other exercises during this intervention period. They were asked to do exercises such as trunk flexion, pelvic elevation, squatting, trunk lateral flexion, lumbar extensor stretching, lower abdominal stretching, hip adduct stretching, piriformis stretching, and trunk flexor stretching (cobra pose). The holding time was 5 seconds, the rest time was 1 second, and the exercises were applied in 10 repetitions.
No Intervention: control group; No treatment was applied to the control group; they were allowed to use painkillers and continued their normal daily lives.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Visual Analog Scale	Lower abdomen, leg and low back pain were evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale	At baseline, on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 1 (each cycle is 28 days), and on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 2 (each cycle is 28 days).
Menstrual symptoms questionnaire	menstrual symptoms were evaluated with the Menstrual Symptoms Questionnaire	At baseline, on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 1 (each cycle is 28 days), and on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 2 (each cycle is 28 days).
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index	sleep quality was evaluated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index	At baseline, on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 1 (each cycle is 28 days), and on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 2 (each cycle is 28 days).
Health-Related Quality of Life Assessment (SF 36 Short Form)	Quality of life was evaluated with the Health-Related Quality of Life Assessment (SF 36 Short Form)	At baseline, on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 1 (each cycle is 28 days), and on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 2 (each cycle is 28 days).
Functional and Emotional Dysmenorrhea Questionnaire	functional and emotional status was evaluated with the Functional and Emotional Dysmenorrhea Questionnaire	At baseline, on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 1 (each cycle is 28 days), and on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 2 (each cycle is 28 days).

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Karabuk University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Moradpour, R., "Resistance training improves primary dysmenorrhea symptoms in young girls: A randomized controlled trial", Journal of Physical Activity and Hormones, 3(3): 35-48 (2019).
• Brown J, Brown S. Exercise for dysmenorrhoea. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Feb 17;(2):CD004142. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004142.pub2.
• Carroquino-Garcia P, Jimenez-Rejano JJ, Medrano-Sanchez E, de la Casa-Almeida M, Diaz-Mohedo E, Suarez-Serrano C. Therapeutic Exercise in the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Phys Ther. 2019 Oct 28;99(10):1371-1380. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzz101.
• Motahari-Tabari N, Shirvani MA, Alipour A. Comparison of the Effect of Stretching Exercises and Mefenamic Acid on the Reduction of Pain and Menstruation Characteristics in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Oman Med J. 2017 Jan;32(1):47-53. doi: 10.5001/omj.2017.09.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): December 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): February 10, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): February 10, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 27, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 12, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): July 15, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 15, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 12, 2024
• Last Verified: July 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Menstruation Disturbances; Pelvic Pain; Dysmenorrhea
• Other Study ID Numbers: women Health

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