COMPARATIVE STUDY ON EFFECT OF SLOW AND FAST PHASED PRANAYAMA ON QUALITY OF LIFE AND PAIN IN PHYSIOTHERAPY GIRLS WITH PRIMARY DYSMENORRHOEA: RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

Objective: Few studies have been done on pranayama as therapy to improve pain and quality of life for primary dysmenorrhoea. Hence, this study is aimed at understanding the effect of slow and fast pranayama on primary dysmenorrhoea among Physiotherapy girl students. Methods: Unmarried girls (n=90) under the age group of 18-25 with primary dysmenorrhoea were randomly assigned to the study, Group A (n=45) Group B (n=45). Moos menstrual distress questionnaire (MMDQ), Numerical pain rating scale for pain, Quality of life scale by American chronic pain association were administered at baseline, after 1st menstrual cycle and follow-up after 2nd menstrual cycle. Group A was subjected to slow pranayama (Nadi Shodhan) and Group B was subjected to fast pranayama (Kapalbhati). Result: Significant (P<0.0001) improvement in quality of life and pain scores after intervention was seen in Group A (Nadi Shodan) as compared to Group B (Kapalbhati) . Prevalence of Primary Dysmenorrhoea was found to be high between the age group of 18-22. Conclusion: With Slow pranayama (Nadi Shodhan) the quality of life and pain scores improved when compared to Fast pranayama (Kapalbhati) indicating the benefits of Slow pranayama on Primary Dysmenorrhoea. Pranayama improves quality of life and reduces absenteeism and stress levels, so it should be implemented in college students to augment their menstrual wellbeing and should be inculcated as a routine practice to improve quality of life.