The Effect of an Aerobic Exercise Program, Massage and a Combined Protocol on Premenstrual Syndrome

Authors

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of an aerobic exercise,
massage and a combined protocol on premenstrual syndrome (PMS) of non –
athletic female students. 60 non–athletic university students with the primary
diagnosis of PMS voluntarily participated in this study. Subjects were randomly
divided into four groups called aerobic exercise, massage, combined and control
group. Variables were measured by the criteria of PMS (DSM – IV). Data were
analyzed by descriptive and analytic statistics (paired T test, one-way ANOVA and
LSD). As a results, the comparison of pretest and posttest showed that somatic
symptoms significantly decreased in all four groups (P<0.05) and psychological
and total symptoms decreased just in the three experimental groups (p<0.05). In
posttest, somatic symptoms significantly decreased in three experimental groups
compared to the control group (p=0.03, f=3.51). This study showed that all three
mentioned approaches were effective to the same degree on PMS symptoms, so,
they can be suggested to the girls with PMS.

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