The Effect of Breathing-based Pelvic Floor Muscle Training on Menstrual Symptoms, Pain and Quality of Life

Summary

Primary dysmenorrheic (PD) pain usually begins during adolescence, at menarche or shortly after (6-24 months), and has a clear and predictable temporal pattern. The pain typically radiates to the back and thighs and lasts for 8-72 hours. The pain is most severe on the first and/or second day of menstrual bleeding. Additionally, systemic symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and insomnia often accompany the pain. In secondary dysmenorrhea, it can result from a range of identifiable pathological conditions, including endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Other gynecological symptoms such as intermenstrual bleeding and menorrhagia may also accompany it, depending on the underlying condition. Empirical treatment approaches have been reported as appropriate for patients with primary dysmenorrhea based on symptoms and physical examination results. Recent studies have indicated that during diaphragmatic breathing, all the muscles that make up the thoracic and abdominal walls should expand in a cylindrical manner in all directions through synchronized eccentric activity. Thus, a more effective result will occur with the concentric contraction and 360-degree expansion of the diaphragm during inspiration, which raises intra-abdominal pressure .

Within the framework of this information, the aim of this study is to examine the effects of respiration-based physiotherapy approaches on menstrual symptoms, pain, and quality of life in women with PD.

Conditions

• Dysmenorrhea Primary
• Pain Management
• Diaphragmatic Breathing
• Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization based breathing training and pelvic floor muscle training

DNS-based breathing exercises will be taught to the women in this group using tactile biofeedback. To create tactile stimulation, one of the hard sponges placed within a belt will be positioned anteriorly in the inguinal region, and the other posteriorly in the Grynfeltt-Lesshaft triangle region. Breathing training will be provided in 3 different positions: sitting, crawling, and happy baby pose. Pelvic floor muscle training: PFME will consist of 2 parts: relaxation training for pelvic floor muscles and pelvic floor muscle exercises. Pelvic floor muscles will be given relaxation training in 3 different relaxation positions (modified butterfly pose, child pose and deep squatting position) suggested by Çeliker Tosun et al. PFME will be taught by the physiotherapist in the side-lying with external coccyx palpation. PFME will be applied in the hook-lying position, sitting position and standing position.

BEHAVIORAL

Pelvic floor muscle training

Pelvic floor muscle training: PFME will consist of 2 parts: relaxation training for pelvic floor muscles and pelvic floor muscle exercises. Pelvic floor muscles will be given relaxation training in 3 different relaxation positions (modified butterfly pose, child pose and deep squatting position) suggested by Çeliker Tosun et al. PFME will be taught by the physiotherapist in the side-lying with external coccyx palpation. PFME will be applied in the hook-lying position, sitting position and standing position.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Izmir University of Economics

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

35 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-10-01

Primary Completion

2025-01-01

Completion

2025-03-01

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations