Comparative effect of Kegel and Pelvic rocking exercises on primary dysmenorrhea: A quasi-experimental study

TL;DR

This study compares Kegel and pelvic rocking exercises for menstrual pain in adolescents, finding Kegel exercises more effective.

Contribution

The study provides evidence that Kegel exercises offer superior pain relief for primary dysmenorrhea compared to pelvic rocking.

Findings

Both Kegel and pelvic rocking exercises significantly reduced menstrual pain in adolescents.

Kegel exercises resulted in a greater mean reduction in pain scores compared to pelvic rocking.

More participants in the Kegel group shifted from severe to mild pain levels.

Abstract

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common cause of menstrual pain among adolescents, affecting daily activities and quality of life. Our
quasi-experimental study assessed 300 adolescent girls, comparing the effect of Kegel exercises (n=150) and pelvic rocking exercises
(n=150) over four menstrual cycles. Pain intensity was measured using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale before and after the intervention.
Both groups showed statistically significant reductions in pain scores (p<0.001), with greater mean reduction in the Kegel group
(2.59 ± 0.84) compared to the pelvic rocking group (1.55 ± 0.78). Categorical analysis revealed a higher shift from severe
to mild pain among participants performing Kegel exercises. Thus, we show that pelvic floor strengthening offers superior pain relief
and should be incorporated into adolescent health programs to reduce analgesic use and improve quality of life.