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Survey study, 2012

Does core stability exercise reduce menstrual pain and PMS?

Yes. Women who did core stability exercises had clear improvement in both menstrual pain and PMS symptoms, while women who did not exercise had minimal changes.

Moderate study design 30 female university students with painful periods

What they did

30 female university students with painful periods were split into two groups of 15. One group did core stability exercises while the other did not. Pain was measured using a pain scale and PMS symptoms using a questionnaire.

What they found

The exercise group showed clear improvement in both menstrual pain and PMS symptoms. The group that did not exercise showed minimal changes.

What it means for you

Core stability exercises may help reduce period pain and PMS symptoms. The main limits are the study was small, included only university students, and did not measure how long the benefits last.

15

Women in exercise group

15

Women in control group

About the study

Original title
The Effect of Lumbo-Pelvic Stabilization Exercise on Menstrual Pain and Premenstrual Syndrome
Authors
Jinhee Kim, Nan-Soo Kim
Journal
Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
Year
2012
Study design
Survey study
Participants
15
What was tested
Lumbo-pelvic stabilization (core stability) exercise
Open access
Yes

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