Body Awareness and Perception Across Menstrual Phases:

Marmara University147 enrolled

Overview

The study explores the dynamic interplay between body awareness and body perception across the menstrual cycle's phases, emphasizing hormonal influences on these dimensions. Conducted with 43 female participants aged 18-35, this research highlights significant variability in body-related experiences tied to hormonal fluctuations. The study aims to address the gap in understanding how menstrual cycle phases impact women's body awareness-sensitivity to physiological states-and body perception, encompassing self-image and physical self-evaluation.

Methods: Participants were divided based on menstrual phases: follicular, ovulatory, and luteal. Hormonal fluctuations were tracked through menstrual calendars and ovulation kits. Tools such as the Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ) and Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) assessed participants' awareness and perception. Other assessments included the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMS), Menstruation Attitude Scale (MAS), and physical activity tracking through the IPAQ-SF questionnaire. Limitations The reliance on self-reported data and single-cycle assessments are noted as constraints, suggesting the need for longitudinal studies for greater robustness.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

147

Conditions

Menstrual Cycle

Interventions

Questionnaire and Physical ExamOTHER

All assessments were carried out face-to-face with the same physiotherapist.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 35 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * female volunteers * aged 18-35 years * regular menstrual cycles Exclusion Criteria: * not using hormonal contraceptives in the preceding six months * having no history of gynecological disorders * having no chronic diseases

Locations (1)

Marmara University

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ)

The Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ) is a self-assessment tool consisting of 18 items divided into four subscales (16). These subscales evaluate attentiveness to (1) bodily processes, including changes and reactions in the body, (2) the sleep-wake cycle, (3) the ability to predict the onset of illness, and (4) the prediction of bodily reactions. The questionnaire employs a 7-point Likert scale for scoring, where higher scores reflect greater body awareness. The BAQ has a total possible score ranging from a minimum of 18 to a maximum of 126. The Turkish adaptation of the BAQ, including validity and reliability analyses, was conducted by Karaca and Bayar, ensuring its applicability in Turkish-speaking populations (17).

Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year

Body Perception Scale (BPS)

The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), developed by Cash, is a self-report Likert-type scale designed to assess the structure of body image and attitudinal components of self-perception (18). The original instrument comprises 69 items, which evaluate three psychological dimensions characterized by emotional, cognitive, and behavioral traits, as well as three physical dimensions: physical appearance, physical competence, and biological integrity. The cognitive and behavioral aspects were subsequently consolidated under the category of 'orientation,' resulting in six distinct subscales within the questionnaire. An additional subscale, 'satisfaction with body domains,' was later introduced, bringing the total to seven subgroups. Lower mean scores on the MBSRQ indicate the presence of body image disturbances, providing valuable insights into individuals' attitudes and perceptions toward their bodies (18,19

Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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