Document Type : Original Research Article
Authors
1
Assistant Professor of Community Health, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences Qazvin, Iran
2
MSc in Midwifery, Instructor Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences Qazvin, Iran
3
General Practitioner, Iran Scientific Association of Acupuncture, Tehran, Iran
4
Assistant Professor, Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
5
MSc in Midwifery, Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
10.22038/jmrh.2023.66739.1947
Abstract
Background & Aims: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a prevalent disorder in women that can affect the normal aspects of a woman's life. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effects of acupressure and fluoxetine on PMS.
Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 90 female students in Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Iran with moderate to severe premenstrual syndrome (30 acupressure, 30 fluoxetine and 30 control). The intervention was performed in three consecutive menstrual periods and was followed up three months later. In the acupressure group, acupressure was applied to 4 points (LIV3, SP9, LI11, LI4) 14 days before menstruation every other day using the TENS (6 sessions during the second half of the menstrual cycle) . The fluoxetine group received oral fluoxetine 20 mg daily 14 days before menstruation. No intervention was done for the control group. Each participant completed the Daily Record of Severity of Problems form (DRSP). Data were analyzed using mixed effect model, one-way analysis of variance and Chi-square test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: There was significant difference between the acupressure and fluoxetine groups withthe control group in DRSP score (p<0.001) after the intervention. However, no significant difference in DRSP score was observed between the two intervention groups during the intervention (p>0.05), but the difference between the two groups became significant during the time of follow-up (p=0.033).
Conclusion: Acupressure can be recommended as a useful complementary and alternative method to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in women with PMS.
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