Randomised trial, 2016
Does Gung massage reduce PMS symptoms better than other treatments?
Gung massage reduced more PMS symptoms than heat or regular massage. All treatments reduced pain, but Gung massage had the largest improvements in pain, emotions, water retention, and body temperature after 8 weeks.
What they did
30 college women in their 20s were randomly assigned to three groups receiving once-weekly 20-minute treatments for 8 weeks: hyperthermic dome (heat therapy), abdominal massage, or Gung massage. PMS symptoms, pain, and body temperature were measured.
What they found
All three groups reduced pain significantly. The Gung massage group showed larger improvements than the other two in emotions, concentration, pain, water retention, and skin changes. The Gung massage group had the largest decrease in pain scores.
What it means for you
Gung massage may be more effective than heat or regular massage for multiple PMS symptoms. It's unclear whether this comes from the specific technique or from general benefits of massage. Main limits are small sample (10 per group) and unclear what Gung massage is.
30
women in 3 groups
10
women per group
8
weekly sessions
About the study
- Original title
- Effect of Gung Massage on Premenstrual Syndrome and Dysmenorrhea in Femal College Students
- Authors
- Sung Ja Kim, Ju Yeon Kim, Chae Jeong Han
- Journal
- The Korean Society of Beauty and Art
- Year
- 2016
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 30
- What was tested
- Gung massage, heat therapy, or abdominal massage once weekly for 8 weeks
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.18693/jksba.2016.17.2.203
Topics
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