Dysmenorrhea is a physiological condition and one of the most common issues experienced during menstruation. This study aims to compare the acute effects of Myofascial Release Technique (MRT) and Kinesio Taping® (KT) on pain severity, fatigue, and menstrual symptom severity in individuals with primary dysmenorrhea (PD).
A total of 45 individuals diagnosed with PD will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: MRT, KT, or control. Pain severity and fatigue will be measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), while menstrual symptom severity will be assessed with the Menstrual Symptom Scale, both prior to and following the interventions. The MRT group will be received MRT for three consecutive days starting from the onset of menstruation, whereas the KT group will be applied KT application for a duration of 72 hours. The control group did not receive any form of intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
45
During the application of Myofascial Release Technique (MRT), the fingers or hand will be first placed on the treatment area. Pressure will be applied to the soft tissue until the restricted layer was felt, and then the fascia was moved along the surface of the underlying layers while maintaining contact with the deeper layers. Tension will be applied for approximately 60-90 seconds, and if a release will not felt, the duration will extended until the release occurred. MRT will be performed with dry hands, without the use of any intermediary substances, and will be applied in both supine and prone positions. In the treatment program, anterolateral release techniques (targeting fascia superficialis, fascia transversalis, and fascia extraperitonealis) will be applied in the supine position, while posterior release techniques (targeting fascia thoracolumbalis and erector spinae) will be applied in the prone position.
Two different techniques will be used in the Kinesio Taping application. First, four I-shaped Kinesio tapes (Kinesio Tex® Gold), each 5 cm wide and 0.5 mm thick, will be applied in a star-shaped pattern using the "space correction technique" with 25-50% tension at the S2-S4 level (sacral region) while the participant will in a seated position. Additionally, to direct the uterus into retroversion during menstruation, a 15 cm long I-shaped tape will be applied to the suprapubic region using the "ligament correction technique" with 100% tension.
Cyprus International University
Mersin, Haspolat, Turkey (Türkiye)
Cyprus International University
Mersin, Lefkosa, Turkey (Türkiye)
Pain Severity
A 100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), represented as a straight line with one end marked as 0 (no pain) and the other end as 10 (unbearable pain), will be used to measure pain severity. Participants will be asked to mark the point on the line that corresponded to the level of pain they will be experiencing during the evaluation. The marked point will be then measured using a ruler, and the numerical value of the pain severity will be recorded. Higher results indicate worse pain intensity.
Time frame: 3 months
Fatigue
A 100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), with one end marked as 0 (no fatigue) and the other end as 10 (unbearable fatigue), will be used to evaluate the severity of fatigue experienced on the most intense day of menstruation. Participants will be asked to mark the point on the VAS that corresponded to the level of fatigue they will be felt. The marked point will then measured using a ruler, and the numerical value will be recorded. Higher results indicate worse pain intensity.
Time frame: 3 months
Menstrual Symptoms
The "Menstrual Symptom Scale," developed by Chesney and Tatso, will be used to evaluate the severity of menstrual symptoms. This scale consists of 22 items, each with five response options, and includes three subdimensions. The first 13 items belong to the "Negative Effects/Somatic Complaints" subdimension, items 14 to 19 fall under the "Menstrual Pain Symptoms" subdimension, and the last three items are part of the "Coping Methods" subdimension. The responses will be rated on a Likert-type scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (always). A higher total score indicates greater severity of menstrual symptoms.
Time frame: 3 months
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