Effect of a structured exercise program on pain and quality of life in adult females with cyclic mastalgia: An experimental study

• Main Authors: Samruddhi Shashikant Barve, Arati Mahishale
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2019-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research KLEU
• Subjects: Breast pain; cyclic mastalgia; menstrual cycle; quality of life; structured exercise program
• Online Access: http://www.ijournalhs.org/article.asp?issn=2542-6214;year=2019;volume=12;issue=1;spage=79;epage=84;aulast=Barve

INTRODUCTION: Cyclic Mastalgia is defined as breast pain before the onset of menstruation. It may be experienced unilaterally or bilaterally and is often associated with tenderness. Pain usually subsides spontaneously but it re-occurs with subsequent menstrual cycles. METHODOLOGY: A total sample of 29 females were recruited for the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The outcome measures used were Visual Analogue Scale, RAND SF-36 questionnaire and Pressure Algometer. Pre intervention scores were recorded and an exercise programme was administered to the subjects, 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Post intervention outcome measures were recorded. RESULTS: The results proved that pain, tenderness and Quality Of Life improved significantly after the intervention with P value of (0.0001). Components of QOL like Physical functioning, Physical health, Emotional problems, Emotional well being, Social functioning, General health, Enegy levels improved after intervention. Determining the long term effects of the exercise programme was not a objective of the present study but we found that most of our study participants did not have recurrence of the symptoms of cyclic mastalgia for more than 3 months after the intervention. CONCLUSION: The Experimental study demonstrated that Structured Exercise Programme was effective in reducing pain, tenderness and improving Quality Of Life in adult females with cyclic mastalgia.