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Survey study, 2014

Does progressive muscle relaxation help reduce anxiety and depression in women with PMS?

Progressive muscle relaxation reduced both anxiety and depression in women with PMS. Women who did the technique for one month showed clear improvement.

Early or limited evidence 60 women aged 18-40 with PMS

What they did

60 women aged 18 to 40 volunteered for this study. One group (Group A, mean age 24.13 years) received progressive muscle relaxation training for one month. The other group (Group B, mean age 28.96 years) was measured without any intervention. Researchers measured anxiety and depression using standard questionnaires before and after one month.

What they found

Group A who received progressive muscle relaxation showed a clear decrease in both depression and anxiety. Group B who received no intervention did not show these changes.

What it means for you

Progressive muscle relaxation may help reduce anxiety and depression in women with PMS. The study is small (60 total) and short (one month). There was no placebo group, so we cannot tell whether the benefit came from the relaxation itself or from expecting to feel better. The two groups also had different average ages, which might have affected results.

60

Women in study

24.13

Group A average age (years)

28.96

Group B average age (years)

About the study

Original title
Evaluation of Psychological Symptoms in Premenstrual Syndrome using PMR Technique
Authors
Jasuja V, Purohit G, Mendpara S et al.
Journal
Journal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR
Year
2014
Study design
Survey study
What was tested
Progressive muscle relaxation for one month vs no intervention
Open access
Yes

Topics