Effects of lumbopelvic and core strengthening exercises with and without pressure biofeedback on primary dysmenorrhea.
Sanem Şener, Tuğçe Duman Özkan
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This randomized, controlled, single-blind trial compared an eight-week lumbopelvic and core strengthening program with the same program plus pressure-biofeedback-assisted abdominal training in 58 women aged 18–25 years with primary dysmenorrhea. Both groups improved in abdominal muscle strength and menstrual pain over time (p < 0.05). There were no significant between-group differences in muscle strength, pain intensity, or menstrual symptom scores at any assessment (p > 0.05), so adding pressure biofeedback did not yield superior outcomes.
Key findings
- Abdominal muscle strength and pain intensity improved over time in both groups (p < 0.05).
- No significant between-group differences were found in muscle strength, VAS pain, or MSQ scores at any assessment (p > 0.05).
- Pressure-biofeedback-assisted abdominal training did not improve outcomes beyond conventional lumbopelvic and core exercises.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that an exercise program may improve pain and abdominal muscle strength in young women with primary dysmenorrhea, while adding pressure biofeedback did not show additional benefit. This helps distinguish the potential value of the exercise program from the specific contribution of the biofeedback device, although the trial does not establish comparative effectiveness beyond its study population and intervention period.
What to keep in mind
The trial included 58 women aged 18–25 years and assessed outcomes over eight weeks; longer interventions and follow-up were not reported.