Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Gynecology and Obstetrics

Background: Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecologic complaint among adolescent and young adult females.Purpose : This study was conducted to compare between the effect of pulsed electromagnetic field and aerobic exercise on primary dysmenorrhea. Subjects: Forty girls diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea participated in this study.They were selected randomly from Kasre El Ainy University Hospital.They had regular menstrual cycle.Their ages were ranged from 16-25years. Their body mass index (BMI) was ranged from 20-25 Kg/m2. All of them were virgins. Girls with irregular or infrequent menstrual cycles, pacemaker, hyperthyroidism, pelvic pathology and BMI < 25 Kg/m2 or > 20 Kg /m2 were excluded from the study. Design: Design of this study was two group pre-test and post-test experimental design. Methods: They were divided into two equal groups: Group A consisted of twenty girls and treated by pulsed electromagnetic field on the pelvic region, 3 times per week for four weeks. Group B consisted of twenty girls and treated by aerobic exercise, 3 times per week for four weeks. Evaluation: Pain was evaluated by VAS, quality of life was assessed by short form survey (SF-12) and progesterone hormone was evaluated for both groups (A and B) before and after treatment. Results: Results found that; pre treatment, there was no significant difference between both groups (A and B) in progesterone hormone, VAS and quality of life. While post treatment, there was significant difference between both groups (A and B) in progesterone hormone (more increase in group A), VAS (more decrease in group A) and quality of life (more increase in group A). Conclusion: It can be concluded that pulsed electromagnetic field is more effective than aerobic exercise in treating primary dysmenorrhea

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