Comparison of the effectiveness of connective tissue massage and myofascial release technique in young adult women with primary dysmenorrhea

Abstract

Background/Aim: Dysmenorrhea can restrict daily living activities and the overall productivity of women, thereby negatively affecting quality of life and causing absenteeism in students and loss of workdays in working women. Medical treatment is frequently used in clinics, but alternative approaches are needed when currently available treatment options are not effective. The aim of this study is to investigate and compare the acute effects of two manipulative methods, connective tissue massage (CTM) and myofascial release technique (MRT), on menstrual pain, fatigue, pain threshold, and menstrual symptoms in young adult women with primary dysmenorrhea (PD). Methods: Forty young adults diagnosed with PD and scoring ≥4 in menstrual pain intensity according to the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were included in the study. Menstrual pain and fatigue severity was evaluated by using VAS, pain threshold by algometer device from six unique points, and menstrual symptom severity using the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire. Participants were randomly divided into two groups and evaluated in their first menstrual cycles. In Group 1, 10 sessions of CTM were applied between the first and second menstrual cycles, and in Group 2, a single session of MRT was applied on the most painful day of the second menstrual cycle. After the application, all participants were re-evaluated on the most painful day of their second menstrual cycles. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of age, BMI, menarche age, menstrual cycle, and menstrual bleeding duration. In both groups, a significant decrease was found in pain, fatigue, and menstrual symptom severity, and a significant increase was found in pain threshold (P=0.001). MRT was found to be more effective at improving the pain threshold at all points except the first point (1st point P=0.098, 2nd point P=0.034, 3rd point P=0.037, 4th point P=0.041, 5th point P=0.009, 6th point P=0.001). Conclusion: It was found that CTM and MRT were effective at improving pain, fatigue, pain threshold, and menstrual symptoms in PD, and MRT was found to be more effective at increasing pain thresholds compared to CTM.