Do Pilates exercises and WhatsApp support reduce PMS and improve daily activities and academic performance?

Background: Premenstrual Syndrome is a prevalent issue characterized by symptoms that can adversely impact academic performance and everyday activities of affected students. Experts and women have become interested in moderate physical activity as Pilate's exercise as alternative treatment for premenstrual syndrome in recent years. Aim: The study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Pilate's exercises and WhatsApp based support program on premenstrual syndrome, daily activities and academic performance of nursing students. Design: A quasi-experimental research design was used (one-group, time series). Study Setting: The study was conducted in the Faculty of Nursing at Benha University in Qaliobya governorate, Egypt. Sample: A Purposive sample of 83 female nursing students was used. Tools: Four main tools were utilized: a structured self-administered questionnaire, Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ), Activity of Daily Living Scale (ADLS) and Academic Performance Scale. Results: Nursing students exhibited improved knowledge, decrease premenstrual syndrome, better daily activities and academic performance, with a high statistically significant difference among mean scores regarding all research variables at pre-intervention, 4 weeks and 8 weeks post-intervention phases. As well as, there was a highly statistical significant positive correlation between total PMS and total activities of daily living and academic performance of the studied students at pre- intervention, 4 and 8 weeks post- intervention phases. Conclusion: The implementation of Pilate's exercises and Whatsapp based support program were effective in relieving premenstrual syndrome, improved activities of daily living and academic performance of nursing students; so, the research hypothesis was accepted. Recommendations: Integrating Pilate's exercises as a complementary and alternative therapy within nursing practices and educational programs to alleviate primary dysmenorrhea in adolescent female students.

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