Comparison of aerobic exercise and spinal stabilization exercises in individuals with primary dysmenorrhea

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of aerobic exercise training (AE) and spinal stabilization exercise training (SE) on pain, number of medications used for pain, menstrual symptoms, functional and emotional status, posture, core muscle endurance, functional capacity, work/school performance, quality of life and subjective perception of improvement in individuals with primary dysmenorrhea (PD). Participants were randomly divided into AE (n=22, age=23.00 (19.00-35.00) years, body mass index (BMI)=24.04±4.28 kg/m2) and SE (n=22, age=20.50 (18.00-33.00) years, BMI=22.60±3.28 kg/m2) groups. The AE group was given a walking program on a treadmill three days a week for two menstrual cycles. SE group received SE three days a week for two menstrual cycles. Menstrual pain intensity was assessed with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), menstrual symptoms with the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire, functional and emotional status with the Functional and Emotional Dysmenorrhea Scale, posture with the PostureScreen Mobile application, core muscle endurance with the McGill Core Muscle Endurance Test, functional capacity with the two km walking test, and impact on work/school performance and impact on quality of life with the VAS before and after exercise. Subjective perception of improvement was questioned with a four-point Likert scale after exercise. The number of medications used for pain was recorded. After exercise, pain severity and symptoms, number of medications used, functional and emotional status, work/school performance, quality of life and subjective perception of improvement improved (p<0.05), while there was no difference between the groups (p>0.05). A decrease in anterior pelvic tilt and increase in core muscle endurance and functional capacity were found in the AE group (p<0.05). In the functional capacity parameter, the AE group showed more improvement than the SE group (p<0.05). AE group showed a decrease in anterior pelvic tilt and an increase in core muscle endurance (p<0.05), but SE group showed a greater decrease in the number of medications and a greater improvement in posture and some core muscle endurance values than AE group (p<0.05). In conclusion, AE and SE were found to be beneficial in PD management. It may be important to consider the effects of both exercise approaches on different parameters when planning PD management.