Effects of a Yoga Program on Menstrual Cramps and Menstrual Distress in Undergraduate Students with Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of a yoga program on menstrual cramps and menstrual distress in undergraduate students with primary dysmenorrhea.

DESIGN

Single-blind, randomized controlled trial.

PARTICIPANTS

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

INTERVENTION

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.

OUTCOME MEASURES

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.