Effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique on Pain Intensity and FatigueAssociated with Primary Dysmenorrhea among Female Adolescents

Hamdy Nasr Abdelhalim, ElSayeda; Yehia Moustafa Sweelam, Marwa; Abd Elaziem Mohamed, Amel; Gomaa Mohamed Amer, Fatma; Mohamed El-Sayed El- Shabory, Nor El-Hoda

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2023.284284

Effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique on Pain Intensity and FatigueAssociated with Primary Dysmenorrhea among Female Adolescents

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant Professor of Maternity, Obstetrics, and Gynecology Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Port Said University

² Lecturer of Maternity and Neonate Health Care Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Fayoum University

³ Assistant professor of Community Health Nursing Beni- Suef University, Egypt

⁴ Lecturer of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University

10.21608/ejhc.2023.284284

Abstract

Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) therapy is considered one of the alternative therapies used
for reducing pain intensity and fatigue. Dysmenorrhea is primary or secondary on the base of the absence
or presence of pathology. The study aimed to assess the effect of progressive muscle relaxation
technique on pain intensity and fatigue associated with primary dysmenorrhea among female adolescents.
Design: A quasi-experimental research design was utilized to achieve the aim of this study. Setting: The
study was conducted in two governmental secondary schools in Port Said City. Subjects: A purposive
sample consisting of 150 female adolescents was recruited using a multi-stage sample technique in this
study. Three tools used for data collection are: Tool (I): A self-administered questionnaire, Tool (II):
A modified Behavioral Pain Scale, Tool (III): A fatigue assessment scale, and Tool (IV):
Dysmenorrheal duration assessment sheet. Results: No statistically significant differences were noticed
between the study and control groups concerning their all demographic characteristics. Results of the
present study revealed that statistically significant differences were detected between the study and
control groups regarding their pain intensity post-intervention. A significant reduction in fatigue scores in
the study group as compared to the control group post-intervention (p-0.0001). Conclusion: Progressive
muscle relaxation technique had a positive effect on reducing pain intensity and fatigue among female
adolescents with primary dysmenorrhea. Recommendations: Progressive muscle relaxation technique
should be used as a non-pharmacological method because it is a systematic technique to reduce pain
intensity and fatigue among female adolescents with primary dysmenorrhea.

Keywords