The Effect of Pilates Exercise and Spiral Taping on Premenstrual Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is identified by a cyclical recurrence of severe emotional, physical, and behavioral alterations limited to the menstrual luteal phase. Although up to 75% of women in the reproductive age range experience some premenstrual changes overall, three to 10% claim that their lives have been disrupted when the symptoms are severe.  Its onset is in the luteal phase of menstruation and goes away a few days later. There have been reports of a 70% to 90% prevalence of PMS throughout the reproductive phase. Affective symptoms might persist from a few days to two weeks.  Typically, symptoms peak two days prior to the menstrual initiation and get worse one week beforehand. Usually, a time without symptoms precedes ovulation.

Purpose: To explore the effectiveness of Pilates exercise and spiral taping on PMS.

Methods: 60 non-parous women participated in this study; all were between 18 and 30 years. This research was conducted in the outpatient clinic of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Isis Specialized Hospital in Luxor Governorate. The females were randomly split into two equal groups (A&B). All females were evaluated for the diagnosis of PMS through a questionnaire at the beginning of the study. After completing an initial evaluation of premenstrual tension symptoms, the participants were referred to a gynecologist for confirmation of the diagnosis (Group A: Pilates and spiral taping). For four weeks, beginning 14 days before the start of their periods and continuing until their menses ended, 30 females underwent Pilates exercises and spiral taping, three times a week. They also got medication (non-steroid anti-inflammatory medications), such as ibuprofen, which suppresses prostaglandin synthetase. Group B (Control group):  30 females received medication (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen suppress.

Results: The study’s result revealed a statistical significant reduction of ACTH by 36% after intervention relative to before intervention (p = 0.001) in study group  and there is no statistical significant variation in the mean values of ACTH pre-intervention across both groups (p= 0.077), but there was statistical significant change after intervention (p=0.001) with the superiority of the study group and  also there was a statistical significant reduction of cortisol level by 34% after intervention relative to before intervention (p = 0.001) in study group. There was no statistically significant variation in the mean values of cortisol level before intervention across both groups (p= 0.088), however there was a statistically significant change after intervention (p= 0.001), with the superiority of the study group.

Conclusion: Pilates exercise and spiral taping are a simple, safe, cost-free, and non-pharmacological method in reducing PMS symptoms in females.