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Randomised trial, 2021

Does yoga or acupressure help reduce PMS symptoms and improve quality of life?

Yes, both helped, but yoga was significantly more effective than acupressure. The yoga group had larger reductions in PMS symptoms and bigger improvements in physical health, psychological health, and life circumstances.

Moderate study design 155 students with PMS (50 yoga, 51 acupressure, 54 control)

What they did

155 students with PMS complaints were randomly divided into three groups: 50 doing yoga, 51 receiving acupressure, and 54 in a control group. The intervention groups participated for 12 weeks.

What they found

The yoga group had significantly lower PMS Scale scores and higher quality of life scores in physical health, psychological health, and environment domains compared to both acupressure and control groups (p < 0.05).

What it means for you

Yoga appears to be a more effective non-medication treatment for PMS than acupressure, affecting both symptom severity and how women rate their overall quality of life. The study only included students, which may not represent all women.

155

students with PMS

12

weeks of intervention

About the study

Original title
The effects of acupressure and yoga for coping with premenstrual syndromes on premenstrual symptoms and quality of life
Authors
Simsek Kucukkelepce D, Unver H, Nacar G et al.
Journal
Complementary therapies in clinical practice
Year
2021
Study design
Randomised trial
Participants
155
What was tested
Yoga or acupressure for 12 weeks

Topics