EFFECTS OF THERAPEUTIC TAPING ON CLINICAL SYMPTOMS OF STUDENTS WITH PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA.

Study Objectives: Primary Dysmenorrhea (PD) is a prevalent gynaecological condition affecting young females, characterized by cyclic, cramping pelvic pain with no organic pathology. It can significantly impact their Quality of life (QOL) and academic performance. The study aimed to determine the effect of therapeutic taping on clinical symptoms, QOL and academic performance of students with PD.

Design: It was a single-blind, parallel design, Randomized controlled trial SETTING: Study conducted from May to September 2023 in Girls Hostel, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Participants: Women aged 18-25 years with PD and pain severity of VAS ≥4 were recruited. Those with other health conditions and having an allergy to Kinesio taping (KT) were excluded from the study.

Intervention: A total of 66 women have completed the study. They were randomly assigned to three groups: experimental (KT), sham tape (ST), and control group (CG). KT tape was applied to the suprapubic and sacral regions using the ligament technique in the KT group and without stretch in the ST group. Assessments were taken at baseline, 8th and 12th weeks.

Main Outcome Measures: The study tools were the visual analogue scale (VAS), menstrual symptoms questionnaire (MSQ), Health-related quality of life (SF-36) and Academic Performance Questionnaire (APQ). Data analysis was done using SPSS-25.

Results: The participants' mean age (years) was (KT: 22.04±2.13, Sham: 22.35±3.11 and CT: 23±2.52). Between-group analysis shows a statistically significant difference in VAS (p<0.05) and MSQ (p<0.01) after the 12 week of intervention, whereas the APQ score was statistically significant (p <0.01) on the 8th and 12 week. Similarly, the SF-36 score was significant for both physical (p<0.001) and mental (p<0.05) component summary between the intervention groups.

Conclusion: Kinesio Taping is an effective intervention option for pain reduction, menstrual symptom relief, and improved academic performance for individuals with PD.