Effect of yoga on premenstrual symptoms, flexibility, and quality of life in university students with premenstrual syndrome: a pilot study
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Abstract
The common symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) include stomach discomfort, headache, back pain, exhaustion, anxiety, and lack of attention; hence PMS negatively impacts health and quality of life. Non-pharmacological methods, such as yoga, are often favored in the treatments of PMS because they are safe and have minimal adverse effects. However, evidence supporting yoga’s effectiveness to relieve the symptoms of PMS is limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of yoga on premenstrual symptoms, flexibility, and health-related quality of life in female adolescents with moderate to severe PMS. This study was conducted as a pilot study among 10 university students with premenstrual syndrome. The participants performed yoga at a duration of 20 minutes per session, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. All of the variables were assessed at baseline and at the end of the study. There was a significant increase in flexibility measured by sit-and-reach test after the training (p-value < 0.05). Premenstrual symptoms measured by premenstrual symptoms screening tool (PSST) showed a significant decrease in the domains of mental symptoms, physical symptoms, impacts of the disease, and PSST total score (p-value < 0.05). Moreover, health-related quality of life measured by SF-36 revealed a significant increase in the domains of bodily pain, vitality, social functioning, mental health, and SF-36 total score (p-value < 0.05). Although additional research is required for further investigation, this pilot study indicates the yoga program may be used as an alternative treatment option for young females who suffer from PMS.
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