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Non-randomised trial, 2008

Does a one-week relaxation yoga training reduce stress response in women with PMS?

Yes. One week of 61-points relaxation yoga training significantly reduced blood pressure and heart rate responses to stress in women with PMS.

Early or limited evidence 30 women with PMS and 20 control women in their reproductive age during the premenstrual period

What they did

A study of 30 women with PMS and 20 control women who were trained for one week in a 61-point relaxation yogic exercise. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured during a cold pressor test (a stressful stimulus) before and after training.

What they found

Women with PMS started with significantly higher baseline systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate compared to controls. After one week of 61-points relaxation training, the PMS group showed highly significant reductions in all three measures during stress testing.

What it means for you

This relaxation technique may help reduce physical stress responses in women with PMS. Limitation: small study (50 women), only one week of training, tested only stress response rather than overall PMS symptoms or their impact on daily life.

30

Women with PMS

20

Control women

1 week

Duration of training

About the study

Original title
Effect of 1 week '61-points relaxation training' on cold pressor test induced stress in premenstrual syndrome
Authors
Dvivedi J, Kaur H, Dvivedi S
Journal
Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology
Year
2008
Study design
Non-randomised trial
Participants
50
What was tested
One week of 61-points relaxation yogic training

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