Effectiveness of structured myofascial release in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea

To determine the effect of structured myofascial release techniques on symptoms in individuals with primary dysmenorrhea.

Based on an expected effect size (d = 0.25), α = 0.05, β = 0.20, a minimum of 36 participants was calculated using G*Power for 80 % power. Although 52 were targeted considering 30 % attrition, 41 completed the study. We enrolled 41 participants with PD who were randomly classified into three groups: Structured myofascial release (MFG), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and training. All participants were evaluated 3 times: 1st measurement on the first day of the menstrual cycle (pre), 2nd measurement after treatment (post) and 3rd measurement 4 weeks after treatment (follow-up). Outcome measures; demographic information, McGill Pain Questionnaire Short Form, Menstruation Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ), Functional and Emotional Measure of Dysmenorrhea (FEMD), and VAS questionnaire were applied. Pain threshold and muscle tension were measured.

While a significant difference was detected between the pre-post and pre-follow-up values in the pairwise comparisons of MC-1, MC-2, MC-3, and MC-4 values in the MFG group, a significant difference was detected between the pre-post and pre-follow-up MC-1, MC-2, and MC-4 values in the TENS and training groups (p < 0.05). Key outcome differences included a 30 % reduction in MPQ-SF scores in the MFG group (p < 0.001). In all groups, a significant difference was found between the three time-dependent measurements of the MSQ and FEMD values (Pre, Post, Follow-up) (p < 0.05). The mean Follow-up Myoton was 3.63 ± 0.33 in the MFG group, 4.49 ± 0.49 in the TENS group and 4.89 ± 0.57 in the Training group. A significant difference was found between the three time-dependent measurements of Myoton and VAS values (Pre, Post, and Follow-up of the individuals in the MFG group) (*F = 46.600; *χ2 = 25.739; p < 0.001).

The MFG group demonstrated superior efficacy to the TENS and training groups in alleviating dysmenorrheic pain, enhancing pain threshold, reducing dysmenorrhea symptoms, and decreasing lower abdominal tension. This effect persisted during the follow-up period, 4 weeks post-treatment.