Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) describes somatic, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms that occur in women during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and resolve with the onset of menstruation. These symptoms are common during the reproductive years. The emotional symptoms of PMS include depression, outbursts of anger, irritability, crying spells, anxiety, confusion, social withdrawal, poor concentration, insomnia, increased short sleep, and changes in sexual desire. Premenstrual symptoms negatively impact women's relationships with family, work, and friends, as well as their social activities. Furthermore, premenstrual symptoms negatively impact a woman's quality of life, making them an important issue to address early in a woman's life. Numerous treatment methods are used to reduce or eliminate PMS symptoms. Laughter yoga is one of the alternative medicine methods that has recently emerged and is used to maintain and improve health. No studies have examined the effectiveness of laughter yoga in reducing premenstrual syndrome. This study aims to determine the effects of laughter yoga on quality of life and premenstrual symptoms in young people experiencing premenstrual syndrome.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) describes somatic, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms that occur in women during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and resolve with the onset of menstruation. These symptoms are common during the reproductive years. The emotional symptoms of PMS include depression, outbursts of anger, irritability, crying spells, anxiety, confusion, social withdrawal, poor concentration, insomnia, increased short sleep, and changes in sexual desire. Physical symptoms include thirst, appetite changes, breast tenderness, bloating and weight gain, headaches, swelling in the hands or feet, aches and pains, fatigue, skin problems, and gastrointestinal symptoms, which can occur in the days before and after menstruation. While the epidemiology, etiology, and pathophysiology of PMS, first described in the literature in 1931, have not yet been fully elucidated, factors that may contribute to its development include thyroid dysfunction, hormonal changes, neurotransmitters, hypoglycemia, fluid retention, genetic and psychological factors, diet, stress, and lifestyle. Epidemiological studies indicate that PMS affects approximately one-fifth of women. Therefore, while PMS is common in adolescence and young adulthood, it stands out as a significant problem during this period. Premenstrual symptoms negatively impact women's relationships with family, work, and friends, as well as their social activities. They can lead to losses in education and employment, decreased work productivity, increased error/accident rates, alcohol/substance abuse, and criminal behavior, and negative mother-child behavior. It's also known that mental disorders and physical illnesses worsen during the premenstrual period, and psychiatric hospitalizations increase. Furthermore, premenstrual symptoms negatively impact a woman's quality of life, making them an important issue to address early in a woman's life. Numerous treatment methods are used to reduce or eliminate PMS symptoms. The goal of treatment for PMS is to reduce or eliminate symptoms, reduce negative impacts on activities and relationships, and minimize treatment side effects. A stepwise approach should be implemented in PMS treatment, encompassing non-pharmacological treatment, pharmacological treatment, and surgical treatment. It has been reported that 60% of women with PMS symptoms seek treatment for their symptoms, but only about half as often seek medical attention. Recommended non-pharmacological treatments include lifestyle changes, education, dietary support, herbal treatment options, acupuncture, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Lifestyle changes include regular exercise, limiting caffeine, salt, and alcohol consumption, eliminating nicotine, and increasing complex carbohydrate intake. Exercise has been shown to reduce PMS symptoms. Shifting focus is particularly important. Cognitive therapy methods and physical activity have been found to reduce PMS symptoms. Alternative medicine methods, in particular, are widely used to reduce PMS symptoms. Laughter yoga is one of the alternative medicine methods that has recently emerged and is used to maintain and improve health. Laughter is generally considered a visual expression of happiness or a feeling of joy. It also helps clarify one's intentions in social interactions and foster emotional connection in conversations. Laughter is contagious; when a person laughs, the person next to them is often moved and begins to laugh as well. Laughter has been described as a universal phenomenon that can be observed in the body and contributes to irreplaceable social functions. During the emergence of laughter, people establish relationships between objects and attribute specific meanings to them by comparing them with others. The combination of all these factors provides relief. People laugh not only at humor, but also when solving a puzzle, escaping a dangerous situation, winning a game, experiencing disappointment, feeling hopeless, encountering an old friend, feeling embarrassed, or angry. Laughter can occur in a variety of emotional states. Laughter yoga has been found to lower cortisol levels, stabilize blood pressure, and improve quality of life scores, especially after the fourth session. Laughter yoga has been found to have a positive impact on young people's overall health, improving physical well-being and symptoms of sleep disorders, reducing anxiety and depression scores, and improving social functioning. In this context, considering the uses and benefits of laughter yoga, it is thought that it may be effective in reducing PMS symptoms. There are numerous studies in the literature on premenstrual syndrome. However, few studies have investigated the effectiveness of alternative methods for reducing symptoms. No studies have examined the effectiveness of laughter yoga in reducing premenstrual syndrome. This study aims to determine the effects of laughter yoga on quality of life and premenstrual symptoms in young people experiencing premenstrual syndrome.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
75
Part 1: Deep Breathing Exercises: Raise the arms up towards the sky and take a deep breath as possible and hold the breath for 4-5 seconds. This application is repeated several times. This section takes approximately 5-10 minutes. Part 2: Warm-up exercises: Hands are kept parallel to each other and clapped. The tips of the fingers and palms touch each other, the acupuncture points on both hands are stimulated and the individual's energy level increases. Section 3: Childish Games: In this section there are childish games. These games are visualized in the mind and the participants are asked to raise their arms upwards in the shape of the letter "Y".This section takes approximately 10 minutes. Section 4: Laughter Exercises: Participants are given verbal guidance such as "Put your hand on your heart, feel your heartbeat, let's exhale with a smile, let's make a wish or pray" and the laughter exercise is terminated. This section takes approximately 15 minutes.
Cukurova University
Adana, Turkey (Türkiye)
The Premenstrual Symptoms Coping Scale
This scale assesses the coping with premenstrual symptoms in women aged 18-49. The scale consists of 27 items and five subscales in Turkish. Each item on this five-point Likert-type scale is scored from one to five. The total score is not used.
Time frame: between 2 to 4 weeks
Premenstrual Syndrome-Specific Quality of Life Scale
The scale consists of 22 items divided into three subscales: physical, emotional, and social. Reverse coding is used for all items, with a minimum score of 22 and a maximum score of 110.
Time frame: between 2 to 4 weeks
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