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

This study was conducted to determine the effect of virtual reality on primary dysmenorrhea. Forty girls with primary dysmenorrhea participated in this study. They were selected randomly from the Out-patient clinic of Om El- Masryeen General Hospital in Giza. Their ages were ranged from 17-23 years old. Their body mass index (BMI) didn't exceed 30 kg/m2. All girls were virgins and with regular menstrual cycle. Girls with cardio-respiratory disease, body mass index (BMI) > 30 Kgm/m², psychological problems, secondary dysmenorrhea, irregular menstrual cycle, pelvic inflammatory diseases and polycystic ovaries syndrome are excluded from the study. Design of this study was two groups pre and post experimental design. They were divided randomly into two groups equal in numbers: Group A (Study group); they were treated by medical treatment (NSAIDs) and virtual reality head set for 15 minutes 3 times / day during the first 3 days of menstruation and repeated for 3 consecutive cycles. Group B (Control group); they were treated by medical treatment only (NSAIDs) for 3 consecutive cycles. Pain intensity was assessed by numeric pain rating scale and plasma cortisol level before and after treatment. Dysmenorrheal symptoms were assessed by using menstrual symptoms questionnaire Results of this study showed that: ANCOVA test revealed that there was a statistical significant decrease in group A when compared with its corresponding level of serum cortisol AM and PM in group B. Median difference of menstrual symptoms questionnaire was calculated to get the actual effect of programs applied in each group

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