Effect of Taping Therapy on Primary Dysmenorrhea Severity and Premenstrual Syndrome in University Students

Abstract

Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of taping therapy on primary dysmenorrhea severity, premenstrual syndrome and its dimensions in Sardasht University students from 2018 to 2019. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 50 female students with moderate to severe dysmenorrhea and mild to moderate premenstrual syndrome were selected randomly and placed into control (n = 25) and intervention (n = 25) groups by blocking method. The intervention group used tape; the control group did not use anything but were attended in a free training class session. The questionnaires used in this study included demographic and menstrual characteristics questionnaire, visual analog scale questionnaire, premenstrual syndrome checklist and Moos menstrual distress questionnaire. Data obtained from these questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent t-test, paired t-test, chi-square test and ANCOVA. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in regard to the demographic characteristics (P <0.05). The mean scores of dysmenorrhea, menstrual distress questionnaires and its dimensions except for arousal, were not significantly different between the intervention and control groups before the intervention (P <0.05). Also, there was no significant difference between the groups in relation to the total scores of dysmenorrhea, menstrual distress questionnaires and its dimensions, except for severity of dysmenorrhea after the intervention (P<0.05). Results of ANCOVA after controlling the confounding variables, showed only a significant difference between the control and intervention groups in regard to the severity of dysmenorrhea (P <0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that taping therapy can be used as an effective non-pharmacological method in the treatment of dysmenorrhea.