PNF and Movement

Korea Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Association (대한고유수용성신경근촉진법학회)
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The Effect of Abdominal Breathing Exercises on Menstrual Pain

복식호흡 운동이 월경통에 미치는 영향

  • Pyo, Jeong-Soo (Dept. of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Pusan) ;
  • Min, Ju-Hwa (Dept. of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Pusan) ;
  • Lee, Dong-Gun (Dept. of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Pusan) ;
  • Goo, Bong-Oh (Dept. of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Pusan)
  • 표정수 (부산가톨릭대학교 물리치료학과) ;
  • 민주화 (부산가톨릭대학교 물리치료학과) ;
  • 이동건 (부산가톨릭대학교 물리치료학과) ;
  • 구봉오 (부산가톨릭대학교 물리치료학과)
  • Received : 2015.05.21
  • Accepted : 2015.06.18
  • Published : 2015.06.30
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Abstract

Purpose: Abdominal breathing exercises are recommended to activate the breathing muscles and the pelvic floor muscles, as well as to increase postural alignment during exhalation. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of improving abdominal muscle strength on menstrual pain in women in their twenties using abdominal breathing exercises. Method: In this study, 32 female university students were included as the subjects. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the area of menstrual pain: lumbar pain (n=16) and lower abdomen pain (n=16). The abdominal breathing positions were divided into two positions, which included a hook lying position and hip and knee flexions at $90^{\circ}$ in the supine position. Exercises were used to strengthen the abdominal muscles during exhalation. Four sets of the exercises were completed three times a week over the course of eight weeks. The degree of pain was measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Muscle thickness was measured using an ultrasound. Result: The thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA) and internal oblique (IO) increased in the lower abdomen pain group. However, thickness of the external oblique (EO) did not increased following abdominal breathing. No significant difference in posture was identified in the lower abdomen group. TrA thickness increased significantly in the lumbar pain group. However, thickness did not increase significantly in the lumbar pain group. In addition, the lumbar pain group experienced no significant effects on posture. IO thickness increased following hip and knee flexions at $90^{\circ}$ in the lumbar pain group. Menstrual pain decreased following intervention in both groups. There was no significant difference in the degree of pain reduction between both groups. Conclusion: As examples of alternative medicine, abdominal breathing exercises may be effective in decreasing menstrual pain.

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References

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