Year: 2026 | Month: August | Volume: 13 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 110-115
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260811
Efficacy of Isometric Abdominal Contraction Combined with Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise in the Management of Dysmenorrhea: A Case Study
Chaithra B Shetty1, Vishnu K Nair2, Aiswariya P S3
1Assistant Professor, Laxmi Memorial College of Physiotherapy, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India
2Assistant Professor, Laxmi Memorial College of Physiotherapy, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India
3Intern, Laxmi Memorial College of Physiotherapy, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India
Affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka, India
Corresponding Author: Aiswariya P S
ABSTRACT
Background: Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most prevalent gynecological conditions affecting adolescent girls and young women. It is characterized by painful menstrual cramps in the absence of identifiable pelvic pathology and can adversely affect daily activities, academic performance, and quality of life. Physiotherapy interventions, including therapeutic exercises and breathing techniques, have emerged as safe, non-pharmacological approaches for symptom management.
Objective: To evaluate the Efficacy of Isometric Abdominal Contraction Combined with Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises in the Management of Dysmenorrhea
Methodology: A case study was conducted on a 23-year-old female college student with a 4-year history of primary dysmenorrhea. Outcome measures included the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ), Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ), Verbal Multidimensional Scoring System (VMSS), and pain duration. The participant underwent a structured 4-week intervention program consisting of isometric abdominal contraction and diaphragmatic breathing exercises.
Results: The participant demonstrated improvement following the intervention. VAS scores reduced from 5/10 to 2/10 and NPRS scores reduced from 5/10 to 2/10. MSQ scores improved from 39 to 17, while MDQ scores reduced from 35 to 14. VMSS grading improved from Grade II to Grade I, and pain duration decreased from 2 days to 1 day.
Conclusion: Isometric abdominal contraction combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercises appeared to be effective in reducing pain intensity, menstrual symptom severity, and pain duration in this patient with primary dysmenorrhea. These exercises may be considered as a safe and cost-effective physiotherapy intervention for symptom management.
Keywords: Primary dysmenorrhea, Isometric abdominal contraction, Diaphragmatic breathing, Exercise therapy, VAS.
[PDF Full Text]