O efeito da massagem do tecido conjuntivo em mulheres com dismenorreia primaria

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2005

RESUMO

Dysmenorrhea is a frequent problem among women. The only clinical treatment consists of medication that, in addition to side effects, can be costly and not always effective. An alternative could be Connective Tissue Massage that is a technique applied by physiotherapists. However, little information is available in the scientific literature on its results. Objective: To evaluate the effects of the technique as a proposal for a non medical therapy of primary dysmenorrhea. Subjects and Methods: Subjects were 75 women who: were 10 to 28 years old; were attending secondary school or university; experienced painful menstrual periods; had used analgesics during the three months previous to initiating massage. All subjects signed an informed consent form. An initial interview and physical evaluation was carried out a research assistant. Connective Tissue Massage was initiated and carried out twice a week during three consecutive menstrual cycles. Connective Tissue Massage was discontinued during the menstrual period. Subjects were evaluated after each menstrual period and also following the menstruation after two and three months terminating treatment. At the time of each evaluation, information on modifications of the reflex area, intensity of pain and use of medication was registered. Data analysis: Bivariate analysis was carried out to evaluate changes during time, for the dependent variables: pain score and use of medication. For the first, Wilcoxon and Friedman non parametric tests for matched samples and for the second variable McNemar test for matched samples. Finally, a multiple linear regression considering two dependent variables related to the differences in the pain score. The significance level was 5%. Results: After the first month of treatment the pain score decreased significantly (p<0,001). After treatment, 89% of the participants referred improvement of pain: The percentage of women who used medication with time. The use of medication was the only variable associated to the pain score at the second evaluation after treatment had been completed. Conclusions: Connective Tissue Massage resulted in: decrease in the mean pain score during the months of treatment and also during the two months that followed its discontinuation; decrease in the proportion of women who used analgesics. Therefore, this study shows a positive effect of Connective Tissue Massage, as alternative therapy to conventional therapy for women with dysmenorrhea

ASSUNTO(S)

dismenorreia massagem tecido conjuntivo

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