The Effect of Music-Assisted Progressive Muscle Relaxation on the Self-Reported Symptoms of Women with Primary Dysmenorrhoea

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of music-assisted progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) on the self-reported symptom scores of women suffering from primary dysmenorrhoea. Twenty-four women with a mean age of 22.7 years participated in the study and were evenly divided in three groups: a control group (n=8), a PMR only group (n=8), and a PMR with music group (n=8). After completing the modified Shortened Premenstrual Assessment Form (SPAF), which was used both as both a determinate of eligibility in the study and as a pretest, participants completed the SPAF for the first three days of their menstrual cycle. Participants in the PMR-only group completed a PMR exercise in their home for the first three days of their period prior to completing the modified SPAF. Participants in the PMR with music group completed a music-assisted PMR exercise in their home for the first three days of their period prior to completing the modified SPAF. Results of the study indicated no significant reduction of symptoms among the PMR with music group in comparison with the other conditions. Further research is warranted, with a suggested larger and more diverse sample, as well as a more structured environment for the completion of the PMR exercises.