Comparative Effects of Exercises Combined With Kinesio Taping and Electrotherapy in Women with Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological problem characterized by menstrual pain without any pelvic pathology. It affects a significant portion of women of reproductive age, impacting their quality of life and daily activities. Physiotherapy interventions such as therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, electrotherapy, and kinesio taping reduce menstrual pain and symptoms. However, there is no study investigating the effects of combined physiotherapy interventions.

Primary Study Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of exercises combined with either kinesio taping or electrotherapy on reducing menstrual pain and associated symptoms in women suffering from primary dysmenorrhea.

Methods: The randomized controlled clinical trial.

Setting: Biruni University Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Laboratory.

Participants: Thirty-six women diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea by a Gynecologist and Obstetrician were randomized into the kinesio-taping group (n=19) and the electrotherapy group (n=17).

Intervention: A similar exercise program was carried out in both groups for eight weeks, two days a week and 40 minutes a day. To increase blood flow in the pelvic region and reduce pain mediators, taping was applied to the sacral and pubic regions using the ligament technique in the kinesio taping group, and a vacuum interferential current was applied to the lumbar and gluteal regions in the electrotherapy group.

Primary Outcome Measures: The menstrual pain intensity and menstrual symptoms were assessed with valid and reliable the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ).

Results: The VAS (kinesio taping and electrotherapy group: P < .001), MSQ-pain symptoms (kinesio taping group: P = .014, electrotherapy group: P = .032), and MSQ-coping methods scores (kinesio taping group: P = .001, electrotherapy group: P = .005) decreased both statistically and clinically in both groups. In addition, a statistically significant improvement in MSQ-negative effects/somatic complaints (P = .047) and MSQ total scores (P = .030) was observed in the electrotherapy group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding substantial changes (P > .05).

Conclusion: The exercises combined with either kinesio taping or electrotherapy effectively reduced menstrual pain intensity and menstrual symptoms related to pain and coping methods in women with primary dysmenorrhea. Notably, exercises combined with electrotherapy also improved menstrual symptoms related to negative effects and somatic complaints. These findings suggest that both kinesio taping and electrotherapy, when combined with exercises, are viable options for managing primary dysmenorrhea, potentially offering clinicians flexible treatment approaches.