Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Kinesio Taping for Premenstrual Syndrome

NCT07791121 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: KA-1711142017/10-24
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 194
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of progressive muscle relaxation exercise, kinesio taping, and their combined application on premenstrual symptoms, perceived stress, severity of depressive symptoms, and sleep quality among university students with premenstrual syndrome. Participants were randomly assigned to progressive muscle relaxation, kinesio taping, combined progressive muscle relaxation and kinesio taping, or a control group. The interventions were implemented for 8 weeks. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 1 month after completion of the intervention.

Conditions

Premenstrual Syndrome

Keywords

Progressive Muscle Relaxation; Kinesio Taping; Premenstrual Symptoms; Perceived Stress; Depressive Symptoms; Sleep Quality; University Students

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Premenstrual Syndrome Scale

  Premenstrual symptom severity was assessed using the 44-item Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS). Each item is scored from 1 to 5, yielding a total score ranging from 44 to 220. Higher scores indicate greater premenstrual symptom severity.

  Baseline, immediately after the 8-week intervention, and 1 month after completion of the intervention

• Perceived Stress Scale

  Perceived stress was assessed using the 14-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Each item is scored from 0 to 4, with seven positively worded items reverse-scored, yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 56. Higher scores indicate higher levels of perceived stress.

  Baseline, immediately after the 8-week intervention, and 1 month after completion of the intervention

• Beck Depression Inventory

  Depressive symptom severity was assessed using the 21-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Each item is scored from 0 to 3, yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 63. Higher scores indicate greater severity of depressive symptoms. The inventory was used to assess symptom severity and not to establish a clinical diagnosis of depression.

  Baseline, immediately after the 8-week intervention, and 1 month after completion of the intervention

• Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

  Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Seven component scores derived from 19 self-reported items are summed to yield a total score ranging from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate poorer sleep quality, and a total score greater than 5 indicates poor sleep quality.

  Baseline, immediately after the 8-week intervention, and 1 month after completion of the intervention

Study Arms (4)

Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants performed progressive muscle relaxation exercises for 8 weeks.

Behavioral: Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise

Kinesio Taping

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received kinesio taping for 8 weeks

Device: Kinesio Taping

Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise and Kinesio Taping

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received both progressive muscle relaxation exercise and kinesio taping for 8 weeks.

Behavioral: Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise; Device: Kinesio Taping

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants received no study intervention and completed assessments at the same time points as the intervention groups.

Interventions

Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise BEHAVIORAL

Participants received supervised progressive muscle relaxation exercise involving the sequential tensing and relaxing of 16 muscle groups together with deep-breathing techniques. Two consecutive 20-minute sessions were conducted at each visit, resulting in 40 minutes of exercise. The intervention was delivered twice weekly for 8 weeks, for a total of 16 visits, and was initiated after menstrual bleeding had ended.

Also known as: PMR

Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise; Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise and Kinesio Taping

Kinesio Taping DEVICE

During the luteal phase, an 8-cm strip of kinesio tape was applied vertically along the lower abdominal midline, and a 10-cm strip was applied horizontally across the vertical strip. The middle sections were applied with 25% tension, whereas the ends were applied without tension. The tape was replaced every 4 days during the luteal phase over two menstrual cycles and was reapplied if it detached prematurely. Each application lasted approximately 15 minutes, including preparation and participant instruction.

Also known as: KT

Kinesio Taping; Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise and Kinesio Taping

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Female university student enrolled in the second or third year of one of the participating faculties at Ankara University
• Menstrual cycle length between 21 and 35 days
• Premenstrual syndrome according to the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale
• Residing in central Ankara
• Volunteering to participate and providing written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Receiving medical treatment for premenstrual syndrome
• Having a mental health condition or receiving treatment for such a condition
• Receiving treatment for insomnia
• Having a dermatological condition, such as an allergy or psoriasis
• Having undergone surgery involving the lumbar or abdominal region
• Experiencing difficulty communicating in Turkish

Sponsors & Collaborators

• ASLI ER KORUCU: lead
• Hacettepe University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Ankara University

Ankara, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Premenstrual Syndrome; Depression; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Menstruation Disturbances; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Dyssomnias; Sleep Wake Disorders; Nervous System Diseases; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Aslı Er Korucu, Assistant Professor

  Ankara University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Füsun Terzioğlu, Professor

  Istanbul Aydın University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: Participants were randomized in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to four groups representing progressive muscle relaxation exercise only, kinesio taping only, both interventions, or neither intervention (control). This 2 × 2 factorial design evaluated the individual and combined effects of the two interventions over 8 weeks, followed by a 1-month follow-up.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 25, 2026
• First Posted: August 27, 2026
• Study Start: December 11, 2017
• Primary Completion: August 2, 2018
• Study Completion: August 2, 2018
• Last Updated: August 27, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL

Locations

TU (1)