Effect of pelvic floor muscle training with or without dynamic neuromuscular stabilization–based breathing on menstrual pain and symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized controlled trial
BMC Women's Health, cilt.26, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 26 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1186/s12905-026-04578-w
- Dergi Adı: BMC Women's Health
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Breathing exercises, Dysmenorrhea, Exercise therapy, Pain, Pelvic floor, Quality of life
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: Breathing exercises may modulate dysmenorrhea by enhancing relaxation and eliciting analgesic effects. This study investigated the effects of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (PFMT) with or without Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS)-based breathing exercises on menstrual symptoms, pain, and quality of life in primary dysmenorrhea (PD). Methods: Sixty-six women with PD were randomly assigned to one of three groups: PFMT combined with DNS-based breathing exercises (PFMT + DNS Group), PFMT alone (PFMT Group), or no intervention (Control Group) (once a week for 4 weeks). Outcomes were assessed using the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ), the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) at baseline, post-treatment, and the 3-month follow-up. Results: Both intervention groups showed significant improvements in MSQ subscales and MPQ scores from baseline to post-treatment (P < 0.05). Significant group × time interactions were observed for somatic complaints (P = 0.020, η² = 0.088), pain symptoms (P = 0.001, η² = 0.173), coping methods (P = 0.001, η² = 0.195), and total MSQ score (P = 0.001, η² = 0.198), and MPQ (P = 0.001, η² = 0.270). These improvements were maintained at the 3-month follow-up. Between-group comparisons showed significantly greater reductions in MPQ scores in both intervention groups than in control group, with no significant difference between PFMT and PFMT + DNS. No significant between-group differences were found for SF-36 subscales. Conclusions: A four-week PFMT significantly reduced menstrual symptoms and pain, with effects sustained at 3 months. However, adding DNS-based breathing exercises did not provide any additional benefits. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, Trial registration: NCT06615258, Registration date: 26 September 2024.