A comparison of skin temperature and EMG training for primary dysmenorrhea

Abstract

Eleven female volunteers completed a 6-month treatment program consisting of a 2-month baseline phase, 2 months of biofeedback training (X number of sessions = 12.9), and 2 months of follow-up data collection. Subjects were assigned to one of two treatment groups: skin temperature training or EMG training of the frontalis muscle. Self-report data were gathered by means of the Symptom Severity Scale. Results, which were analyzed according to a 2 X 3 (treatment X phase) split-plot factorial design, indicate a highly significant overall treatment effect (F = 19.32 p less than .001). There was no significant difference between treatments (F = .47) and no significant interaction effect (F = 1.74).

Behavioural interventions for dysmenorrhoea

“…Additional information on trial methodology or actual original trial data were sought from the authors of four of the included trials in order to clarify aspects of methodology or when data were unsuitable for inclusion in the meta-analysis (Amodei 1987;Chesney 1975;Hart 1981;Quillen 1982). Replies were not received from any of the authors.…”

“…Two were excluded for failing to mention whether they were randomised (Mathur 1986;Sigmon 1988): data were sought from the authors but no reply was received. Therefore five trials were included in the review (see Included Studies table) (Amodei 1987;Bennink 1982;Chesney 1975;Hart 1981;Quillen 1982).…”

“…One of these trials also only included women with spasmodic dysmenorrhoea (Bennink 1982). One trial specified women with primary dysmenorrhoea with no other inclusion or exclusion criteria (Hart 1981), and the last mentioned women with menstrual discomfort (Chesney 1975). The trials included women of various ages the overall range was 16 to 44 years of age.…”

“…Common exclusion criteria were use of oral contraceptives or intrauterine devices and use of additional medication. Three trials mention the source of women; they were all recruited using advertisements from the local community or were college students (Amodei 1987;Bennink 1982;Hart 1981). All trials took place in the USA.…”

“…All five trials were stated they were randomised. All received an allocation concealment score of B due to lack of information regarding how randomisation was performed and concealed (Amodei 1987;Bennink 1982;Chesney 1975;Hart 1981;Quillen 1982).…”