Randomised trial, 2023
Does progressive muscle relaxation reduce PMS symptoms?
Yes. Thirty minutes of daily progressive muscle relaxation for 4 weeks significantly reduced all physical, psychological, and behavioral PMS symptoms compared to no treatment.
What they did
Eighty female nursing students with PMS participated (40 in the relaxation group, 40 in a control group). The relaxation group performed progressive muscle relaxation for 30 minutes daily for 4 weeks. PMS symptoms were measured before and after the 4-week period using the premenstrual syndrome scale.
What they found
After the intervention, the relaxation group showed a statistically significant decrease in all physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms compared to the control group (P<0.05). The total PMS symptom score decreased in the relaxation group (P=0.001) and increased in the control group (P=0.034).
What it means for you
Progressive muscle relaxation appears to reduce PMS symptoms across all categories. The study only included nursing students from one university and lasted 4 weeks, so we do not know if benefits persist longer or apply to all women with PMS.
80
female nursing students
30 minutes
daily relaxation duration
4
weeks of treatment
About the study
- Original title
- Effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique on Signs and Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome Among Female Nursing Students
- Authors
- Hanan Moustafa Ashour Elkhatib, Niven Rizk Mohammed, Nemat Ismail Abdel Aziz Ismail et al.
- Journal
- Journal of Holistic Nursing and Midwifery
- Year
- 2023
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 80
- What was tested
- Progressive muscle relaxation for 30 minutes daily for 4 weeks vs no treatment
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.32598/jhnm.33.4.2430
Topics
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