The Effect of Acupressure and Mindfulness to Cope With Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) on PMS and Quality of Life

The research was carried out to determine the effect of acupressure and mindfulness practice to cope with premenstrual syndrome on premenstrual symptoms and quality of life. The sample of the study consisted of a total of 270 students, 90 of which were acupressure, 90 mindfulness and 90 control groups. In the study, data were collected with the Participant Information Form, PMSS and WHOQOL-BREF. The acupressure group was asked to apply acupressure two days a week for 12 weeks, a total of 24 times. In the mindfulness group, 8 weeks of Conscious Awareness Stress Reduction Program was applied, after which the students were asked to practice mindfulness for 3 cycles. Students in both experimental groups were asked to stop the practices after acupressure and mindfulness practices. PMSS and WHOQOL-BREF were applied to both experimental and control groups as an intermediate test 12 weeks after the pre-test and a post-test 24 weeks later.

Inclusion criteriaRegular menstruation (between 21-35 days), being over 18 years old,Being single,Not using analgesics during menstruation,Not having any psychiatric diagnosis or gynecological disease (abnormal uterine bleeding, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, etc.),Not using contraceptives,Not having tissue deformities in the extremities and not having any health problems that can prevent physical exercise,A score of >110 on the PMSS scale.Exclusion criteriaNot participating in at least two mindfulness groups,Not having regular menstruation in the last 3 months,It is the use of analgesics during menstruation during the period of participating in the research.