Publication:

Effectiveness of pelvic rocking exercise on dysmenorrhea among nursing students of Gangtok, Sikkim

Background Dysmenorrhea often described as crampy and intermittent pain. Some girls experience excruciating back. Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of abdominal discomfort, as are bruising and headaches, as well as an unpleasant feeling. Dysmenorrhea is a public health issue that affects adolescent girls and women of childbearing. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pelvic rocking exercise in reducing the level of dysmenorrhea and to determine the association between pre-test level of dysmenorrhea with their selected demographic variables among the nursing students.

Methods A pre-experimental one group pre-test and post-test design which was conducted among 70 nursing students having dysmenorrhea studying in Gangtok, Sikkim. Purposive sampling technique was used for the study. Demographic proforma and menstrual profile were used to collect personal data and numerical pain rating scale used to assess the level of dysmenorrhea among nursing students. Samples were demonstrated pelvic rocking exercises and were instructed to perform the exercise once a day for 5 days per week. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used for data analysis (SPSS version 26).

Results The result showed that the pre-test score of mean and standard deviation in pre-test was 5.57±1.336 and after intervention post-test score of mean and standard deviation was 2.97±1.103. The mean difference was 2.60 and obtained t value (t=29.78, df-69, p=0.001) was statistically significant at p<0.05 level. Chi squared test was done, result showed that there were statistically non-significant at p<0.05 level with pre-test level of dysmenorrhea among nursing students with their selected demographic variables.

Conclusions The study findings conclude that pelvic rocking exercise was effective in reducing the level of pain during dysmenorrhea among nursing students after the intervention. Thus, the health care professionals can play an important role for educating the adolescents girls regarding pelvic rocking exercise, which is cost-effective and easy to perform.