This study investigates the effect and predictors of static stretching exercise on hot flush in women after performing 4-week stretching exercises.
Hot flush (HF) is the most common symptom among menopausal syndrome and can significantly affect women's quality of life. Considering the risk of hormone therapy, the behavioral therapies have been proposed for the alternative treatment of HF. However, the exercise prescription for women with HF is controversial. Previous studies show the inconsistent effect of aerobic exercise on HF, and a moderate-to-high intensity exercise seems to aggravate HF frequency and severity. Recent studies have shown that static stretching exercise could improve HF in middle-aged women, but the related research is quite few, and the physiological mechanism as well as predictors for responders who can benefit from stretching exercise are still not clear. The knowledge of predictors for responders will provide clinicians and clients with HF symptoms to choose static stretching exercise as their treatment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
40
The intervention of this study is home-based stretching exercise. The experimental group will receive 6 stretching exercises which stretch 60 seconds for each side (left or right) of each movement, and relax for 10-20 seconds between the movements. It will take 10-15 minutes every day for continuous 4 weeks. The 6 stretching exercises include : (1) pectoral muscles + calf muscles ; (2) quadriceps ; (3) levator scapulae ; (4) gluteal muscles ; (5) hamstrings ; (6) trunk side-flexors.
National Yang Ming University
Taipei, Taiwan
RECRUITINGHot flush frequency
Frequency of hot flush (time/day)
Time frame: pre-intervention
Hot flush frequency
Frequency of hot flush (time/day)
Time frame: week 1 of intervention period
Hot flush frequency
Frequency of hot flush (time/day)
Time frame: week 2 of intervention period
Hot flush frequency
Frequency of hot flush (time/day)
Time frame: week 3 of intervention period
Hot flush frequency
Frequency of hot flush (time/day)
Time frame: week 4 of intervention period (post-intervention)
Hot flush score
The sum of mean hot flushes multiplied by severity (mild x 1, moderate x 2, severe x 3)
Time frame: pre-intervention
Hot flush score
The sum of mean hot flushes multiplied by severity (mild x 1, moderate x 2, severe x 3)
Time frame: week 1 of intervention period
Hot flush score
The sum of mean hot flushes multiplied by severity (mild x 1, moderate x 2, severe x 3)
Time frame: week 2 of intervention period
Hot flush score
The sum of mean hot flushes multiplied by severity (mild x 1, moderate x 2, severe x 3)
Time frame: week 3 of intervention period
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Hot flush score
The sum of mean hot flushes multiplied by severity (mild x 1, moderate x 2, severe x 3)
Time frame: week 4 of intervention period (post-intervention)
Standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN)
SDNN represents total heart rate variability. (unit: ms)
Time frame: pre-intervention
Standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN)
SDNN represents total heart rate variability. (unit: ms)
Time frame: week 4 of intervention period (post-intervention)
Absolute total power
Absolute total power represents total activity of autonomic nervous system. (unit: ms\^2)
Time frame: pre-intervention
Absolute total power
Absolute total power represents total activity of autonomic nervous system. (unit: ms\^2)
Time frame: week 4 of intervention period (post-intervention)
Low frequency in normalized unit (LF norm)
LF norm represents sympathetic nerve activity.
Time frame: pre-intervention
Low frequency in normalized unit (LF norm)
LF norm represents sympathetic nerve activity.
Time frame: week 4 of intervention period (post-intervention)
High frequency in normalized unit (HF norm)
HF norm represents parasympathetic nerve activity.
Time frame: pre-intervention
High frequency in normalized unit (HF norm)
HF norm represents parasympathetic nerve activity.
Time frame: week 4 of intervention period (post-intervention)
Percentage of low frequency (LF%)
LF% represents sympathetic nerve activity.
Time frame: pre-intervention
Percentage of low frequency (LF%)
LF% represents sympathetic nerve activity.
Time frame: week 4 of intervention period (post-intervention)
Percentage of high frequency (HF%)
HF% represents parasympathetic nerve activity.
Time frame: pre-intervention
Percentage of high frequency (HF%)
HF% represents parasympathetic nerve activity.
Time frame: week 4 of intervention period (post-intervention)
LF/HF ratio (L/H ratio)
L/H ratio represents autonomic nerve balance.
Time frame: pre-intervention
LF/HF ratio (L/H ratio)
L/H ratio represents autonomic nerve balance.
Time frame: week 4 of intervention period (post-intervention)
Muscle flexibility of upper extremities
Apley's scratch test (unit: cm)
Time frame: pre-intervention
Muscle flexibility of upper extremities
Apley's scratch test (unit: cm)
Time frame: week 4 of intervention period (post-intervention)
Muscle flexibility of lower extremities
Sit-and-reach test (unit: cm)
Time frame: pre-intervention
Muscle flexibility of lower extremities
Sit-and-reach test (unit: cm)
Time frame: week 4 of intervention period (post-intervention)
Vascular endothelial function
Reflective index (RI) (unit：％)
Time frame: pre-intervention
Vascular endothelial function
Reflective index (RI) (unit：％)
Time frame: week 4 of intervention period (post-intervention)
Hot Flush Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS)
Hot Flush Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS), minimum value : 0, maximum value : 100, higher scores mean a worse outcome
Time frame: pre-intervention
Hot Flush Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS)
Hot Flush Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS), minimum value : 0, maximum value : 100, higher scores mean a worse outcome
Time frame: week 4 of intervention period (post-intervention)