Effect of exercise on symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in low and middle-income countries: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

IntroductionPremenstrual syndrome (PMS) has the potential to affect the quality of life adversely. Published guidelines recommend the use of exercise as part of the first-line management interventions for PMS. However, the published evidence related to the effectiveness of physical activity and PMS is inconclusive. This review will assess the effectiveness of exercise-based interventions in reducing PMS in women screened or diagnosed with PMS in low and middle-income countries, where the prevalence of PMS is high.Methods and analysisElectronic databases will be researched, including Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google Scholar. All the studies published until March 2020 will be included. A standardised data extraction form will be used adapted from the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Included articles will be assessed using the risk of bias tools based on study design. Data will be analysed using Review Manager V.5.3. The inverse-variance random-effects method will be used to report the standardised mean difference. A meta-analysis will be used only if studies are sufficiently homogenous. A narrative synthesis will be undertaken when studies are heterogeneous. Methodological heterogeneity between studies will be evaluated by considering the study types. Statistical heterogeneity will be tested using the I2 test. Subgroup analyses may be performed only for the primary outcome in case of sufficient studies. Sensitivity analysis will be conducted to assess the impact of intervention excluding studies without randomisation and studies with a high risk of bias. Funnel plots will be used to assess the potential reporting bias and small-study effects only when there are more than 10 studies included in the meta-analysis.Ethics and disseminationThis study does not require ethical approval, as the review is entirely based on published studies. The results will be published and/or will be presented at a pertinent conference.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020163377.

Do contrasting socio‐ecological conditions bring difference in premenstrual syndrome and its concomitants? A sedente‐migrant comparative study from Eastern India

“…Globally, over 90% women of reproductive age experience at least one symptom of PMS (Badkur et al, 2016; Matsumoto et al, 2021), with a high prevalence in low and middle‐income countries. For example, in nearly half of the (49.6%) adolescent populations reportedly experience PMS (Dutta & Sharma, 2021; Pokharel et al, 2020).…”

Aerobic Exercise versus Yoga on Pre-Menstrual Symptoms and Primary Dysmenorrhea Among Adult Girls - A Comparative Interventional Study

“…The elevated premenstrual pelvic blood flow along with exercising delayed the onset of pain. During menstrual pain, exercising can result in faster transfer of wastes and prostaglandins from the uterus, which are the main cause of menstrual pain, from the uterus (19). Harlow and Park, Blakey et al reported that there was no relationship between exercise and primary dysmenorrhea (20).…”

Premenstrual syndrome symptoms in women of reproductive age – a preliminary report

“…Serotonin insufficiency and increased sensitivity to progesterone can also be responsible for the disorder. The occurrence and increase in severity of PMS symptoms can be caused by neurohormonal and genetic factors that are still researched along with mineral and vitamin deficiency, and unhealthy lifestyle (Pokharel, Rana, Moutchia, Uchai, Kerri, Gutiérrez, Islam, 2020).…”