This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of progressive muscle relaxation exercise, kinesio taping, and their combined application on premenstrual symptoms, perceived stress, severity of depressive symptoms, and sleep quality among university students with premenstrual syndrome. Participants were randomly assigned to progressive muscle relaxation, kinesio taping, combined progressive muscle relaxation and kinesio taping, or a control group. The interventions were implemented for 8 weeks. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 1 month after completion of the intervention.
This four-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted among students from 13 faculties of Ankara University who met the eligibility criteria for premenstrual syndrome. Eligible participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1:1 ratio, using faculty-stratified randomization, to progressive muscle relaxation exercise, kinesio taping, combined progressive muscle relaxation exercise and kinesio taping, or a control group. The interventions were implemented over 8 weeks. Assessments were conducted at baseline, immediately after the 8-week intervention, and 1 month after completion of the intervention. Premenstrual symptoms were assessed as the primary outcome. Perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and sleep quality were assessed as secondary outcomes. A total of 180 participants were initially randomized, with 45 participants assigned to each group. During the first intervention cycle, 14 participants discontinued the study: 2 from the control group, 4 from the kinesio taping group, 5 from the progressive muscle relaxation group, and 3 from the combined intervention group. Fourteen additional eligible participants were subsequently enrolled and allocated to the corresponding groups using the same faculty-stratified approach. Therefore, the total number of unique enrolled participants was 194. A total of 180 participants, 45 in each group, completed all assessments and were included in the complete-case analyses.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
Participants received supervised progressive muscle relaxation exercise involving the sequential tensing and relaxing of 16 muscle groups together with deep-breathing techniques. Two consecutive 20-minute sessions were conducted at each visit, resulting in 40 minutes of exercise. The intervention was delivered twice weekly for 8 weeks, for a total of 16 visits, and was initiated after menstrual bleeding had ended.
During the luteal phase, an 8-cm strip of kinesio tape was applied vertically along the lower abdominal midline, and a 10-cm strip was applied horizontally across the vertical strip. The middle sections were applied with 25% tension, whereas the ends were applied without tension. The tape was replaced every 4 days during the luteal phase over two menstrual cycles and was reapplied if it detached prematurely. Each application lasted approximately 15 minutes, including preparation and participant instruction.
Ankara University
Ankara, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)
Premenstrual Syndrome Scale
Premenstrual symptom severity was assessed using the 44-item Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS). Each item is scored from 1 to 5, yielding a total score ranging from 44 to 220. Higher scores indicate greater premenstrual symptom severity.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the 8-week intervention, and 1 month after completion of the intervention
Perceived Stress Scale
Perceived stress was assessed using the 14-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Each item is scored from 0 to 4, with seven positively worded items reverse-scored, yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 56. Higher scores indicate higher levels of perceived stress.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the 8-week intervention, and 1 month after completion of the intervention
Beck Depression Inventory
Depressive symptom severity was assessed using the 21-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Each item is scored from 0 to 3, yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 63. Higher scores indicate greater severity of depressive symptoms. The inventory was used to assess symptom severity and not to establish a clinical diagnosis of depression.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the 8-week intervention, and 1 month after completion of the intervention
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Seven component scores derived from 19 self-reported items are summed to yield a total score ranging from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate poorer sleep quality, and a total score greater than 5 indicates poor sleep quality.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the 8-week intervention, and 1 month after completion of the intervention
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Enrollment
194