• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of hand acupuncture for reduction of dysmenorrhea. 71 female middle school and high school students were selected as subjects from April to May 2001, among which 38 students consisted of the experimental group while 22 students were the control group by convenient assignment. The experimental group participated in hand acupuncture treatment. The experimental treatment was to puncture corresponding points(A4, A5, J1, J3, J23, H2, F7) on both the palm and back of a hand with disposable acupuncture needles and to remove needles after 20-30 minutes' recess during which the subjects reposed themselves on bed. The collected data were processed using the SPSS PC Program and analyzed using $X^2test$ and The results of this study were as follows 1. The symptoms of premenstrual syndrome have decreased, but no significant differences were statistically observed between hand-acupunctured group and non-hand acupunctured group. 2. Subjective pain degree has decreased after hand acupuncture. 3. As for objective pain degree, a significant reduction in voice change was observed between two groups. Facial expressional changes and perspiration degree reduced but showed no significant statistically changes between two groups. 4. Comfort has increased after hand acupuncture. These results suggest that the hand acupuncture therapy works effectively on easing menstrual pain and symptoms as well as partially on reducing discomfort. It is particularly efficacious for a reduction in subjective pain and facial expressional changes in positive respect. Therefore the hand acupuncture therapy can be considered as an independent nursing intervention for dysmenorrhea reduction.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.415-423
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• 2003

Purpose: This study aims to examine whether the kinesio tape method can relax perimenstrual symptoms and decrease the menstrual pain of those who complain of perimenstrual discomforts. Method: This study has been designed to use the nonequivalent control group in the pre and post-test. The data have been collected from unmarried females complaining of perimenstrual discomfort and living in D city from the 2nd of February through the 10th of April, 2002. An experimental group of 32 people and a control group of 35 people were chosen, and they were first investigated for symptoms before and after menstruation when the menstrual pain was the severest and for the VAS measurement of menstrual pain. For the experimental group, the kinesio tape method was conducted two times a week for three weeks (six times in all), and the control group remained intact. The investigations after the experimental treatment were carried out in the same way as before. The measuring instruments were the peri menstrual measuring instruments of symptoms of 42 items and the menstrual pain was measured by VAS Result: The primary hypothesis: The experimental group who used the kinesio tape method would experience less perimenstrual discomfort than the control group who did not use it. The first sub-hypothesis: The first sub-hypothesis that suggests 'The experimental group who used the kinesio tape method would experience more relaxation of perimenstrual symptom than the control group who did not use it' was supported. The second sub-hypothesis: The second sub-hypothesis that suggests that 'The experimental group who used the kinesio tape method would get lower scores of menstrual pain of VAS than the control group who did not use it' was supported. Conclusion: These results of the study show that the kinesio tape method is effective in relaxing perimenstrual symptoms and lessening menstrual pain.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.233-243
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• 1998

This study was performed to compare the transcultural differences on perimenstrual discomforts, menstrual attitudes and sex role acceptance between Korean and American college students. The subjects, 2557 nursing students were selected from 13 universities all around Korea, and 4 universities in the eastern, western, and middle areas of the United States. The data were collected using the MDQ (Menstrual Distress Questionnaire by Moos), the MAQ(Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire), and the Sex Role Acceptance Scale, the subjects answered the MDQ for three points (premenstrual, menstrual, intermenstrual based on their recollections) between July, 1996 and April, 1997. The findings are as follows : 1. There were significant differences in the age of menarche, duration of menstruation, and menstrual cycle between the Koreans and the Americans. 2. As for sex role acceptance, Americans more frequently denied the traditional female role than did Koreans. 3. There were significant differences between the two groups on five categories of menstrual attitude (menstruation is a phenomena that weakens women physically and psychologically, menstruation is a bothersome phenomena, menstruation is a natural phenomena, menstruation onset is a predictable phenomena, and menstruation is a phenomena that does not influence womens' behaviors non is expected to). 4. For the menstrual discomfort scores, there were significant differences between the two groups on all six categories of the MDQ(pain, attention deficit, behavioral changes, AMS response, water retention, and negative emotion) for the three points (premenstrual, menstrual, intermenstrual period). 5. The most common complaints for the Korean women were pain during the perimenstrual period and fatigue during the intermenstrual period. In contrast, for the Americans the most common complaint was negative emotions during the perimenstrual period, but less pain than the Koreans, and a similarity to Koreans during the intermenstrual period. 6. Regularity of the menstrual cycle was positively correlated with age of menarche, menstrual cycle, and duration of menstruation. 7 For the interrelationship between of Perimenstrual discomforts, menstrual attitudes, and sex role acceptance, there were significant correlations for both group as follows : First, the MA category "menstruation is a bothering phenomena" was negatively correlated with sex role acceptance, second, the MA category "menstruation is a phenomena that weakens the women physically and psychologically" was positively correlated with the MA category "menstruation onset is a predictable phenomena." For the further research, it is recommended that efficient nursing intervention programs for perimenstrual discomforts, be developed and qualitative research to demonstrate the cultural differences as the feminism view point be done.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.165-176
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• 2005

Objective : This study was to vertify the effect of Semen Sinapsis Albae Pressing at Sanyinjiao(SP6), Umnungchon(SP9) and Shinnsu(B23) on dysmenorrhea of Women's University Students. This study was an one group pretest-posttest experimental design. Methods : The subjects were 50 patients who was suffering for dysmenorrhea visited to D University Health center located in B city, from January to May, 2004. They had agreed to take part in this experiment, with didn't take any anodyne drugs. Results : The results of the study are as follows 1. Hypothesis 1 that "Semen Sinapsis Albae pressing in SP6, SP9 and B23 is decreased dysmenorrhea" is adapted(t=12.777, p=0.000). 2. Semen Sinapsis Albae pressing is more fast manifested in alleviation of pain, longer in duration of alleviation of pain, and had a less dysmenorrhea than anodyne drugs. Semen Sinapsis Albae pressing is probably more effective than who are dosed anodyne instead of pressing.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.224-244
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• 1993

This study was designed to develop and test a model of the theoretical structure of factors influencing womens’ attitudes toward menstruation, specifically, premenstrual discomfort or pain, negative affect, disability and role acceptance. The conceptual framework was built through a review of the literature. For the purpose of testing the model, data were collected from April to June, 1992 with the use of Menstrual Distress Questionnaire, Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire, Sex Role Acceptance Scale. Data analysis was done with the SPSS PC/sup +/ for descriptive statistics and PC-LXSREL 7.13 for covariance structure. The study subjects consisted of 320 women college students in 2 three-year nursing junior colleges and 1 department of nursing of a college of medicine. The mean age of the subjects was 19, the mean age at monarch was 13.7, the mean menstrual cycle was 29.7 days and the mean menstrual duration was 5.3 days. The amount of menstrual discharge was moderate and the menstrual cycle variability was within 3 days. The score for pain, negative affect and disability were higher during the perimenstrual period than intermenstrual period. The fit of the hypothetical model with the six paths and the empirical data was high [X²(df=4)=. 57 (P=.966), GFI =.999, AGFI =.997, RMR=.008]. The hypotheses were supported on acceptable level of significance. 1) The higher the pain and negative affect, the stronger the disability. 2) The higher the pain, negative affect and disability, the more negative the attitudes toward menstruation. 3) The lower the women's role acceptance, the more negative the attitudes toward menstruation. The model was supported by the empirical data, and thus these results may help nurses and nursing scientists to understand and support these phenomena of womens’ health experience.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.150-159
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify effects of Artemisia A. Smoke(Ssukjahun) on primary dysmenorrhea, Method: This study was a pretestposttest design with a nonequivalent control group. Data were collected from May 1, 2007 to May 27, 2008. A total of 40 women with dysmenorrhea participated in the study. Among them, 20 women were assigned to an experimental group and the other 20 to a control group. Artemisia A. Smoke(Ssukjahun) was provided daily for 4 days, starting 7 days prior to next expected menses in the experimental group. The instruments used in this study included MDQ (Moos' Menstrual Distress Questionnaire) by Kim (1995), Visual Analogue Scale by Keele (1948), and PG F2$\alpha$ by urine. Result: The results of this study are as follows; The experimental group was lower than the control group in the degree of menstrual distress (t=5.25, p=0.000), intensity of dysmenorrhea (t=7.71,p=0.000), and prostaglandin F2$\alpha$ levels (t=4.56, p=0.000). Conclusion: Artemisia A. Smoke (Ssukjahun) was proved as an effective nursing intervention to reduce dysmenorrhea in young women. Its convenience and accessibility may make it a useful intervention in nursing practice and education.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.8-19
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• 2011

Purpose: This study identifies research trends and provides fundamental data related to curative power of aromatherapy to relieve pain in Korea. Methods: The study analyzed 44 experimental studies on humans that were published in Korea before the end of December, 2009. The key words used for searching were: aroma, aromatherapy, hyang-yobeob, hyanggi-yobeob, hyanggichilyo, aromatherapy and pain, headache, scapulodynia, omodynia, feeling uncomfortable in the perineal region, sense of pain, labor pains, arm pain, menstrual pain, aches, and dysmenorrheal. Those words were found on websites, including those for Korea Education & Research Information Service, the National Assembly Library, KISS, KoreaMed, and NDSL. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The results showed that most of essential oils to relieve pain is composed of three to four kinds of oils, including Lavender, Roman chamomile, Rosemary, and Clarysage. Aromatherapy is applied usually by means of massage (50%), inhalation (13.6%), or a combination of the above two (13.6%). Measuring instruments as a dependent variable include VAS, questionnaire, GRS, blood pressure, pulse, and Algometer. Aromatherapy plays an important role in soothing headaches and arthralgia. However, when it comes to labor and menstrual pain, it doesn't seem to be effective. Conclusion: The study found that different kinds of oil, frequencies, and periods of time are used for the same symptoms. Further research should employ standardized oil blending, application, duration, and measuring instruments, and more systematically analyze the effects of aromatherapy to establish the effects on relieving pain.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.173-180
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was to explore the perception about menstruation and discomforts of using disposable menstrual pads in menstruating women. Method: A survey was conducted of 132 menstrual women recruited by convenience sampling. Data were collected by a face-to-face interview and a study questionnaire, and analyzed by frequency and $X^2$-test. Result: More than half of the subjects expressed a negative perception about menstruation, while 25% expressed a mixed perception and 24.2% expressed a positive perception. Women who perceived their menstruation negatively had more menstrual pain than the others (p<.001). The most frequently experienced discomforts of using disposable pads were an unpleasant smell (18.9%), leakage (18.9%), and discomfort (16.6%). Adverse effects of using disposable pads were reported as an itching sense (23.1%). skin rash (20.2%), and skin irritation (10.6%). Alternate materials were reported with tampons, alternate washable pads, and maternity pads. Conclusion: The results indicate that disposable menstrual pads cause several discomforts and common adverse effects such as skin problems. To decrease these discomforts and relieve adverse effects, planned nursing education including women's personal hygiene methods and information about an alternate pad may be helpful.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.554-560
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• 2007

This study was aimed to identify the effect of abdominal moxibustion on premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea in university students. The data were collected by using questionnaires from April 25, 2005 to June 20, 2005. The subjects were university students from in the Pusan metropolitan area who had complained of menstrual discomfort. Thirteen students were assigned to the experimental group and fourteen students to the control group. The research design of this study was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. In the research method pretest were conducted through measurement based on scores of general character, menstrual character, premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea in the experimental group and the control group. Experimentation was conducted by abdominal moxibustion being applied on the kwan-won hole and Ki-hae hole for 25 minutes at a time, three times a week, form the ending of one menstrual cycle to the beginning of the next menstrual cycle were in the experimental group. After treatment was finished, post tests conducted through measurement based on scores of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea in the experimental group. The control group conducted a point of same time and same measurement with the experimental group. The instruments used in this study MDQ(Menstual Distress Questionnaire) developed by moos(1968) and the VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) developed by Cline(1992). The data were analysed by SPSS/ win 12.0 program with ${\chi}$2-test and t-test to verify identification among subjects' general characteristics and menstrual characteristics. Hypothesis verification was analysed with t-test. The results of the study are as follows: The hypothesis, 'the experimental group who received abdominal moxibustion will decrease premenstrual symptoms more than the control group', was supported (t= -2.121, p=.022). The hypothesis, 'the experimental group who received adbominal moxibustion will decrease dysmenorrhea compared to the control group', was supported (t=-4.424, p=.001). As a result of this study, abdominal moxibustion will be used as a nursing aide to improve and prevent menstrual discomfort of university students who have premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.116-131
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• 1998

This study was undertaken to obtain the menstrual patterns and menstrual discomforts in women university students. For the data collection, self-administered questionnaire survey was made from December 10, 1996 to January 20, 1997 among the 180 women university students in Seoul. The resultant data were processed by SAS program for frequency, proportion, and chi-square test. The results of this study are as follows ; 1) The mean age of the subjects was 20.6 years old. The mean height was 162cm and weight was 52.3Kg. $26.9\%$ of the subjects responded that they had experienced the unbalanced diet, $56\%$ the irregular meal, $39.6\%$intermittent dizziness, and $63.4\%$ the premenstrual syndrome. $53.7\%$ had feeling that skin temperature of their four extremities was 'a little lower than others'. The mean BMI(Body Mass Index) was 19.8, 'normal level' was $41.8\%$. $18.7\%$ responded that their characters were 'introspective ones'. The mean age of menache was 13.8 years old. The subjects responded that the mean number of pads they used per day during menstrual periods was 4.6 sheets. The mean duration of menstruation was 5.4 days, $10.4\%$ responded that their menstrual cycles were 'extremely regular', $44.8\%$ was 'regular', $36.6\%$ was 'a little irregular', and $8.2\%$ was 'extremely irregular'. Out of them who had experienced the dysmenorrhea, $21.3\%$ had family history of dysmenorrhea in connection with their mother and $35.0\%$ in their sisters. The mean of the first time that they experienced dysmenorrhea was 15 years old. $94\%$ of the subjects responded that they had experienced the dysmeorrhea. $47.6\%$ of the subjects responded that they experienced the dysmenorrhea 'monthly' and $52.4\%$ 'intermittently'. $53.0\%$ of them who had experienced dysmenorrhea responded that dysmenorrhea was the severest 'on the first menstrual day' and $22.4\%$ 'on the second day'. $48.8\%$ of them who had experienced dysmenorrhea responded that the most painful region was 'low abdomen'. $40\%$ of them who had experienced dysmenorrhea responded that they used 'analgesics' to soothe dysmenorrhea, $24.8\%$ used nothing, $18.4\%$ lay in their beds or slept, and $12\%$ made their 'low abdomen' warm. $70.3\%$ who had used analgesics because of dysmenorrhea took analgesics 'one or two times per month', $25.7\%$ 'intermittently', and $4.0\%$ more than 3 times per month. The analgesics which they used were 'geworin$(33.8\%)$,' 'penzal$(32.4\%)$', 'tyrenol$(18.9\%)$', and 'aspirin$(4.2\%)$'. $(47.9\%)$ of them who took analgesics because of dysmenorrhea responded that the duration of analgesics effect was '4 to 8 hours'. $15.1\%$ of them who experienced dysmenorrhea responded that they had visited the hospital. 2) The incidence of premenstrual syndrome was no significant difference according to the BMI, unbalanced diet, pattern of meal, skin temperature of four extremites, and characters. 3) The incidence of dysmenorrhea was significant difference according to the BMI, unbalanced diet, pattern of meal, skin temperature of four extremites, and characters. 4) The incidence of analgesics usage was significant difference according to the BMI, subjects with low BMI took more analgesics than those with normal BMI (p<.05). The incidence of analgesics usage was significant difference in accordance with pattern of meal. The women who had a meal regularly took more analgesics than those who had a meal irregularly(p<.05). But the incidence of analgesics usage was no significant difference in accordance with the unbalanced diet, characters, the incidence of dizziness, skin temperature of four extremities, the incidence of premenstrual syndrome.