Detecting changes in functional ability in women with premenstrual syndrome

There has been a lack of objective assessment of the disruptive effect that the symptomatology of premenstrual syndrome has on the functional performance of affected women. This study assessed the functional performance of women with premenstrual syndrome at four phases of the menstrual cycle. Twelve women with premenstrual syndrome and nine asymptomatic women were tested on four functional instruments at the menstrual, early follicular, early luteal, and late luteal phases. Two tests of a paper-and-pencil type measured perceptual parameters, and two tests involving manipulation of objects measured manual dexterity. Mean performance on the Crawford Small Parts Dexterity Test--Part II, which tests fine motor function, was better at the late luteal testing, compared to the early follicular testing, in asymptomatic women but was worse in the women with premenstrual syndrome. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.015). No significant differences between groups in performance changes were observed for the other functional tests. The Crawford Small Parts Dexterity Test-Part II is an objective measure that is potentially valuable in therapeutic trials involving patients with premenstrual syndrome.