Yoga-based pain reduction for adolescent dysmenorrhea: Evidence from a school-based intervention

Abstract

Dysmenorrhea is a common menstrual disorder among adolescent girls and often leads to physical discomfort, reduced academic participation, and impaired quality of life. While pharmacological approaches are widely used, non-pharmacological interventions such as yoga are gaining recognition for their potential in managing menstrual pain. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based yoga intervention in reducing primary dysmenorrhea among female adolescents. A pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design was employed, involving 30 purposively selected tenth-grade students experiencing moderate primary dysmenorrhea. The intervention consisted of 30-minute yoga sessions conducted daily over five consecutive days, incorporating breathing techniques, physical postures, and relaxation exercises. Pain intensity was measured before and after the intervention using the Visual Analog Scale, and data were analyzed using a paired sample t-test following normality confirmation. The results indicated a substantial reduction in dysmenorrhea pain intensity after the intervention, suggesting that yoga may serve as an effective non-pharmacological strategy for menstrual pain relief in adolescents. These findings highlight the potential of integrating structured yoga programs into school health initiatives as a culturally adaptable and accessible approach to enhancing adolescent menstrual health and well-being. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting holistic, school-based health promotion and offers practical implications for nursing education, adolescent health services, and future research in non-pharmacological pain management