Vigorous exercises in the management of primary dysmenorrhea: a feasibility study

Abstract

Results demonstrated that the intervention is applicable and feasible. In addition, the preliminary results show evidence of positive changes after the intervention. The intervention programme's effectiveness will be studied further, in a future RCT. Implications for Rehabilitation There is a lack of available evidence from randomized controlled trials regarding the use of exercise in alleviating the symptoms associated with primary dysmenorrhea (PD). The preliminary results of this study shows that exercises may be effective in reducing the pain associated with PD indicated by a large effect size. The preliminary findings from this study could also contribute significantly to PD management and introduce new practice opportunities for physiotherapists working in women's health.

Menstrual pain and quality of life in women with primary dysmenorrhea: Rationale, design, and interventions of a randomized controlled trial of effects of a treadmill-based exercise intervention

“…A possible disadvantage of using self-report measures is lower response rates [51], and should this be the case in the current study, the impact of results will be acknowledged and discussed. However, response rates in the pilot study [26] were good, suggesting the methods employed may promote good response rates for the current study. Lack of stratification of participants, is a limitation of the study as stratification is considered a way of minimizing sampling error [52].…”

“…A sample size of 70 participants (35 in intervention group and 35 in usual care control group) was estimated for an overall two-tailed 0.05 level of significance with 90% power, and standard deviations consistent with those observed in the feasibility study [26], to detect effect sizes of 15 mm on the visual analogue scale (VAS). The estimated sample size accommodated a dropout rate of 15%.…”

“…The study is adequately powered to allow for a dropout rate of 15%. The methodological procedures and the feasibility of providing the intervention has been piloted [26]. Safe assumptions about effect sizes and variability and rates of recruitment and retention have been made in accordance with the Medical Research Council guidelines on the development, evaluation, and implementation of interventions to improve health [36].…”

“…The required sample size is calculated based on results of our previous feasibility study to explore the use of a treadmill-based exercise intervention for alleviating menstrual pain associated with PD [26]. A sample size of 70 participants (35 in intervention group and 35 in usual care control group) was estimated for an overall two-tailed 0.05 level of significance with 90% power, and standard deviations consistent with those observed in the feasibility study [26], to detect effect sizes of 15 mm on the visual analogue scale (VAS).…”

Effectivenesss of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Diadynamic Current on Primary Dysmenorrhea : A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…[1] Various studies have proven that physiotherapy treatment such as stretching, pelvic mobilization, treadmill and electrotherapy modalities to be effective for pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea. [6,7,8] Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation [TENS] It is a simple, non-invasive analgesic treatment used for symptomatic management of acute and chronic pain. [9] It is the application of electrodes to the skin with the aim of reducing pain by stimulating the thick afferent nerve fibers.…”