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Abstract

Objective: This study was aimed to compare the effects of stretching exercise versus aerobic dance on pain and stress in primary dysmenorrhea. Background: Primary dysmenorrhea is a common menstrual symptom in women of reproductive age, which usually affects the quality of life. Exercises are usually preferred as an evident remedy for menstrual symptom in control of pain. Hence, the purpose of the study was to compare the effect of stretching exercise versus aerobic dance in controlling pain as well as in the management of stress. Methodology: This study is an experimental study of pre- and post-comparative type which was carried out in Faculty of Physiotherapy at Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute. After the approval of the study by the institute research review board, 30 samples were recruited and trained for a period of 8 weeks for about 45 min for 3 days/ week. Girls aged 17–23 years with regular menstrual cycle and visual analogue scale (VAS) scoring >6 and depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21) scoring >19 were included in the study. Athletes, married women, and girls who were regularly exercising, having any pelvic pathology, abnormal menstrual cycle, or taking painkiller medications were excluded from the study. Outcome measures: VAS and DASS-21 questionnaire was used to asses pain and stress during pre and post intervention period. Procedure: Participants were randomly divided into two groups, namely Groups A and B. Group A was trained with stretching exercise and Group B with aerobic dance. Both groups were trained for 3 days/week for a period of 8 weeks. Stretching exercise concentrating on muscles of whole body was given for about 45 min. In aerobic dance, each session was carried out for 45 min, which includes 10 min of warm-up session and 25 min of training followed by 10 min of cool down session. Training was avoided during the period of menstrual cycle. Results: Both the groups showed reduction in pain and stress, but Group B showed more reduction in symptoms. On comparing pre-test and post-test within Group A and B on VAS and DASS, highly statistically significant difference was found in mean values at P ≤ 0.001. Conclusion: Aerobic dance was significantly efficient than stretching exercises in reduction of pain intensity and duration as well as stress in primary dysmenorrhea.

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