Effect of trigger point massage and stretchingexercises on menstruation symptoms, pain intensity andquality of life in primary dysmenorrhea

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a chronic health condition that affects primarily young women and interferes with daily activities, causes loss of work productivity, and reduces quality of life. In this controlled study, the effects of trigger point massage and stretching exercises applied to patients diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea on pain severity (Visual Analog Scale), menstrual symptoms (Menstruation Symptom Scale) and quality of life (SF-36) were investigated. Forty-five women who were followed up with the diagnosis of Primary Dysmenorrhea in the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic of Elazig Fethi Sekin City Hospital. Participants were randomly assigned to exercise, exercise+trigger point, and control groups using a computer-generated randomization list. The "Visual Analog Scale" was used to evaluate the severity of menstrual pain, "Menstruation Symptom Scale" was used to evaluate the severity of menstrual symptoms, and "SF-36" was used to evaluate the quality of life. The severity and duration of pain were significantly reduced in the exercise groups compared to the control group (P<0.001), and the reduction in pain intensity was higher in the participants who were applied both trigger point and exercise. When the Menstruation Symptom Scale changes of the participants were examined, it was seen that there was a significant difference in the negative effect within the group and between the groups when the pre- and post-treatment data were compared in the group that received stretching exercise and trigger point massage (p=0.000). When the pre- and post-treatment values were compared between the stretching group and the stretching exercise and trigger point massage group, there was a significant difference in coping methods within and between the groups (p=0.009). The treatment program in which stretching exercise and trigger point massage were applied together was more effective on menstruation symptoms and pain severity than the group that received stretching exercise alone.