Abstract

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 perimenstrual 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.