ABSTRACT

Introduction: Pre Menstrual syndrome (PMS), also called as Premenstrual tension (PMT) is used to describe physical, cognitive, affective and behavioural symptoms that occur cyclically during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and resolve quickly at or within a few days of the onset of duration.The impact of PMS on women’s daily activity is also huge. The activities reported to be limited were concentration in class (48.3%), college attendance (46%), going out of the home (43.8%), and homework tasks (36%). Limitations of these activities were significantly more frequent among severe cases. In a study in Morocco, menstrual pain was often cited as the main single cause of school absenteeism among adolescent girls. Since pain is an integral part of PMS, it is oftenly disregarded by women. This study reported that about 16% of the students had symptoms which were severe enough for them to be absent from the college. Other studies have shown that the rates of absenteeism from school and work range from 34% to 50 %. Around 40 % of women showed that their ability to perform work was affected. Many studies have shown that kinesiotaping can be used as a treatment method to reduce pain. Studies conducted by P.L. Chen et al, proved that kinesio taping can reduce pain in patients with Patellofemoral pain syndrome. There are few studies which highlights the effect of physical exercise on PMS. Kinesiotaping can also be used in reducing the effects of PMS.  The role of kinesiotaping used in PMS is not determined. Therefore, this study has been undertaken to investigate the role of kinesiotaping in PMS for reducing the pain and improving the QOL. Objectives: 1. To assess pain in healthy females with PMS pre and post kinesiotaping. 2. To measure the level of fatigue in healthy females with PMS pre and post kinesiotaping.3.To correlate pain and fatigue in healthy females with PMS pre and post kinesiotaping..Materials and Methods: Study design: Interventional, Study Duration: 6 months, Sample size: 50 (Pilot Study), Cases: Healthy females having premenstrual syndrome. Inclusion criteria 1. Healthy female subjects between 18 -27 years. 2. Symptoms of PMS (Somatic and/or Psychosocial). Exclusion Criteria: 1. PCOD (Polycystic ovarian disease). 2. Subjects on any type of medication. 3. Married females 4.Endometriosis. Methodology: 50 healthy female subjects with the symptoms of PMS will be selected. The purpose of the study will be explained and an informed consent will be obtained from the subjects. Once the subjects satisfying the inclusion criteria they will be selected and will be asked to fill up the questionnaire i.e. Personal Health Questionnaire Depression scale (PHQ – 9), Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Pain. Kinesiotaping will be applied and subjects will be advised not to remove the kinesiotape for 24 hours. A 24 hour pain pattern will be recorded on VAS by the subjects. Post 24 hours the subjects will be asked to fill up the FAS and PHQ 9 questionnaire and the results will be compared. Application of the tape For dorsal ligaments - Patient stands with the trunk flexed and the tape strip is fixed over S1 with maximum tension. The tape ends are fixed with no tension. For ventral ligament – patient stands with the trunk extended. Vertical tape is fixed above the symphysis with maximum tension and horizontal tape is fixed with maximum tension above the symphysis. The tape ends are fixed without tension. The outcome measures taken to determine the effect will be FAS, VAS and PHQ – 9. Statistical Analysis All the data collected will be summarized in through descriptive statistics in terms of mean, median and standard deviation. Paired t- test will and Wilcoxon test will be used to determine the effectiveness and to find the correlation respectively. Implication of study: The decrease in pain which will be achieved by kinesiotaping would result in improved performance in activity levels among females with PMS.