Do menstrual symptoms affect motor imagery skills in young women?

To examine the relationship between menstrual symptoms and motor imagery skills in young women.

A total of 117 women between the ages of 18-40 were included in the study. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for the menstrual pain intensity, the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ) for the menstrual-related symptoms, and the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire-20 (KVIQ-20) for the motor imagery were used. All measurements were conducted on the first or second day of the menstruation, depending on when the subject declared subjectively experiencing most symptoms.

The relationship between menstruation symptoms and visual imagery (VI) and kinesthetic imagery (KI) skills was examined. A weak negative correlation was found between MSQ_negative effects/somatic complaints and KVIQ-20_KI (p = .040, r = -.199). The relationship between menstrual pain intensity and KVIQ-20 items was examined. The strongest relationship was found between VAS and KVIQ-20_knee_VI and KVIQ-20_hip_VI (p = 003, r = -.288; p = 005, r = -.270; p = 004, respectively). A weak negative correlation was also found between VAS and KVIQ-20_VI_total and KVIQ-20_KI_total (p = 0.004, r = -.275; p = 0.19, r = -.227, respectively).

This is the first study to examine menstrual symptoms in women in detail and reveal their relationship with motor imagery skills. Menstrual symptoms, especially negative effects/somatic complaints seen during menstruation, negatively affect kinesthetic imagery ability. In addition; chronic menstrual pain has a negative effect on both kinesthetic and visual imagery abilities. Considering the impairments in motor imagery skills due to negative effects/somatic complaints during menstruation and chronic menstrual pain, adding motor imagery training to treatment programs aimed at improving women's health may have positive effects.