Effects of a Yoga Program on Menstrual Cramps and Menstrual Distress in Undergraduate Students with Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of a yoga program on menstrual cramps and menstrual distress in undergraduate students with primary dysmenorrhea.


METHODS
Single-blind, randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
40 randomly selected undergraduate nursing students, with 20 each assigned to an exercise or a control group.


METHODS
The participants engaged in a yoga program for 60 minutes once a week for 12 weeks. The program consisted of physical exercise combined with relaxation and meditation.


METHODS
Menstrual cramps and menstrual distress levels were measured by using the Visual Analogue Scale for Pain and the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire, respectively. Data were analyzed by using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk normality tests, t-test, chi-square test, logistic regression analysis, and multivariate analysis of variance (SPSS program).


RESULTS
Menstrual pain intensity (group difference, -0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.47 to -0.42; p = 0.001) and menstrual distress (group difference, -1.13; 95% CI, -1.43 to -0.82; p < 0.0001) scores decreased significantly in the experimental group compared with the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that yoga interventions may reduce menstrual cramps and menstrual distress in female undergraduate students with primary dysmenorrhea.
1 Department of Nursing, Kongyang University , Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
Nam-Young
NY
Yang
2 Department of Nursing, College of Health Science, Kangwon National University , Samcheok-si, Republic of Korea.
Sang-Dol
SD
Kim
D000328:Adult; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015013:Yoga; D055815:Young Adult