Kannan Priya, Claydon Leica S, Miller Dawn, Chapple Cathy M
Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, University of Otago , Dunedin , New Zealand .
Disabil Rehabil. 2015;37(15):1334-9. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2014.962108. Epub 2014 Sep 22.
To examine the feasibility of using an exercise intervention for reducing menstrual pain associated with primary dysmenorrhea (PD) and to obtain preliminary results to estimate the sample size for a future randomized controlled trial (RCT).
A quasi-experimental design was applied. Ten women 18-45 years with PD were included. The participants underwent vigorous aerobic training at the School of Physiotherapy on a treadmill three times a week for up to 4 weeks followed by aerobic training at home for up to 4 weeks. The feasibility measures were adherence to the intervention programme and intervention prescription, retention and safety. The short form McGill pain questionnaire was used to measure pain at first (T1), second (T2) and third (T3) menstrual cycles following trial entry.
Overall adherence was 98%, with 100% adherence to clinic-based intervention and intervention prescription and 96% for home exercise programme. Retention rate was 100%. With respect to pain a large effect size was identified at T2 and T3. No adverse events reported.
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.
探讨采用运动干预减轻原发性痛经（PD）相关经期疼痛的可行性，并获得初步结果以估计未来随机对照试验（RCT）的样本量。
采用准实验设计。纳入10名年龄在18 - 45岁的原发性痛经女性。参与者在物理治疗学院的跑步机上进行每周三次、为期4周的高强度有氧训练，之后在家进行为期4周的有氧训练。可行性指标包括对干预方案和干预处方的依从性、留存率和安全性。采用简化版麦吉尔疼痛问卷在试验开始后的第一个（T1）、第二个（T2）和第三个（T3）月经周期测量疼痛程度。
总体依从率为98%，其中对基于诊所的干预和干预处方的依从率为100%，家庭锻炼计划的依从率为96%。留存率为100%。在疼痛方面，T2和T3时发现有较大的效应量。未报告不良事件。
结果表明该干预措施是适用且可行的。此外，初步结果显示干预后有积极变化的证据。该干预方案的有效性将在未来的随机对照试验中进一步研究。康复治疗的意义 关于运动在缓解原发性痛经（PD）相关症状方面的应用，随机对照试验缺乏可用证据。本研究的初步结果表明，运动可能有效地减轻与原发性痛经相关的疼痛，效应量较大。本研究的初步发现也可为原发性痛经的管理做出重大贡献，并为从事女性健康领域工作的物理治疗师带来新的实践机会。
