---
title: Does a relaxation exercise help reduce physical stress responses in women with PMS?
description: Yes, women who did 61-point relaxation exercises showed clear reductions in blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension, with increased skin temperature. T
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/study-of-the-effect-of-61-point-relaxation-therapy-in-premenstrual-syndrome-2018/
---

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- Does a relaxation exercise help reduce physical stress responses in women with PMS?

Study, 2018

# Does a relaxation exercise help reduce physical stress responses in women with PMS?

Yes, women who did 61-point relaxation exercises showed clear reductions in blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension, with increased skin temperature. These changes appeared after three menstrual cycles of practice.

 Moderate study design

40 women aged 18 to 40 with regular menstrual cycles (28 to 34 days) and PMS

## What they did

40 women aged 18 to 40 with PMS were divided into two groups. Group A (20 women) had no treatment. Group B (20 women) did 61-point relaxation exercises starting 7 days before their period was due, continuing for 3 menstrual cycles. Physical measurements were taken at the start and end: blood pressure, heart rate, skin conductance, muscle tension, breathing rate, and skin temperature.

## What they found

By the third menstrual cycle, Group B showed clear decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and breathing rate. Skin temperature increased. Group B showed greater relaxation response compared to Group A.

## What it means for you

Relaxation exercises may help reduce physical stress responses in women with PMS. Results showed effects after three months of regular practice. The study did not measure whether the relaxation exercises also improved PMS symptoms themselves, and it was a small study, so larger studies are needed to confirm benefits.

40

women with PMS

3 cycles

duration of relaxation practice

7 days

timing before menstruation when exercises started

## About the study

Original title Study of the effect of 61-point relaxation therapy in premenstrual syndrome Authors Bhawana Sharma, Rajeev Sharma, Tanu Agarwal et al. Journal National Journal of Physiology Pharmacy and Pharmacology Year 2018 Study design Study Participants 40 What was tested 61-point relaxation therapy, done for 7 days before menstruation for 3 consecutive menstrual cycles Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.5455/njppp.2019.9.1134212122018](https://doi.org/10.5455/njppp.2019.9.1134212122018)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

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Study, 2026

How can lifestyle changes help reduce premenstrual syndrome?

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