Primer Dismenoresi Olan Sağlıklı Bireylerde Ağrı Nörobilim Eğitimi ile Biyomedikal Ağrı Eğitiminin Etkilerinin Karşılaştırılması

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of pain neuroscience education (PNE) or biomedical pain education (BPE) combined with exercise training (ET) in primary dysmenorrhea (PD). In the study, 38 individuals with PD were randomly assigned to Group 1 (ET+PNE, n=19) or Group 2 (ET+BPE, n=19). Individuals were assessed 3 times: after the first menstruation after inclusion, after the interventions during two menstrual cycles, and 1 month after the end of the interventions. The primary outcome measure was menstrual pain intensity. Secondary outcome measures were menstrual stress, somatic and emotional symptoms associated with central sensitization, pain catastrophizing, pain beliefs, depression-anxiety-stress, quality of life (QoL), and individuals' perception of change in menstrual pain and symptoms. As a result of the study, it was found that the levels of menstrual pain and stress, central sensitization, pain catastrophizing, pain beliefs (except psychological belief in Group 1, and organic and psychological belief in Group 2), and emotional symptoms decreased, and the QoL increased in various subdomains (except psychological dimension in Group 1, and social and environmental dimensions in Group 2) in both groups (p<0,05). In addition, PNE was found to be more effective in reducing menstrual pain, central sensitization, pain catastrophizing, organic pain beliefs and emotional symptom levels, and increasing the physical subdomain of QoL after the intervention or at follow-up compared to BPE (p<0,05). Menstrual stress, helplessness and magnification subdomains of pain catastrophizing, psychological pain beliefs, and psychological, social, and environmental subdomains of QoL improved at similar levels in the groups (p>0,05). In conclusion, it can be said that PNE or BPE combined with exercise is effective in PD management, but PNE is more effective than BPE. Further studies in which PNE is combined with different training parameters and different physiotherapy methods can be planned.