Survey study, 2025
Do back stretching exercises reduce PMS symptoms?
Yes, significantly. After 2 weeks of stretching exercises twice daily, 63.3% of the exercise group had only mild PMS, compared to 6.6% of girls who received only health education.
What they did
Six-week experimental study of 60 adolescent girls aged 11 to 21 in India. Girls were divided into an exercise group and a control group. The exercise group did dorsal stretching exercises twice daily for 2 weeks, while the control group received only health education. PMS severity was measured before and after.
What they found
Before the intervention, most girls in both groups had moderate to severe PMS. After the 2-week intervention, 63.3% of the exercise group experienced only mild symptoms, compared to 6.6% in the control group. The mean PMS severity score dropped significantly in the exercise group (from 35.2 to 23.5; t = 13.96, p less than 0.05). Dietary habits were also correlated with PMS severity (p = 0.001).
What it means for you
Simple, free stretching exercises can reduce PMS symptoms in adolescent girls. This is a practical, non-drug option. The study was small and lasted only 2 weeks, so we do not know if benefits last longer. Results are from India and may not apply to all adolescents.
63.3% vs 6.6%
Mild symptoms: exercise group vs control
35.2 to 23.5
Mean PMS score drop in exercise group
p < 0.05
Statistical significance of reduction
About the study
- Original title
- Therapeutic Role of Dorsal Stretching Exercise Interventions on Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms in Adolescent Females
- Authors
- Mary Minolin T, Hema M, Mary Nithya P et al.
- Journal
- Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology)
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 60
- What was tested
- Dorsal stretching exercises twice daily for 2 weeks
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1051/itmconf/20257901028/pdf
Topics
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