Journal List > J Korean Acad Nurs > v.41(1) > 1002691

TOOLS
Hong: Effects of Heat Therapy Using a Far Infrared Rays Heating Element for Dysmenorrhea in High School Girls
Original Article
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2011; 41(1): 141-148.

Published online: 28 February 2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2011.41.1.141

Effects of Heat Therapy Using a Far Infrared Rays Heating Element for Dysmenorrhea in High School Girls

Yeon Ran Hong

Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Chodang University, Muan, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Hong, Yeon Ran. Department of Nursing, Chodang University, 419 Seongnam-ri, Muan-eup, Muan 534-701, Korea. Tel: +82-61-450-1803, Fax: +82-61-450-1801, yrhong@chodang.ac.kr

Received 11 October 2010       Accepted 25 February 2011

© 2011 Korean Society of Nursing Science

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was designed to identify the effects of heat therapy on dysmenorrhea, heat being provided using a far infrared rays heating element.

Methods

The research design for the study was a non-equivalent control group quasi-experimental design. Participants were 22 students for the experimental group, and 26 students for the control group. Data were analyzed using SAS WIN 9.1 program.

Results

The experimental group had significantly lower mean scores for menstrual pain, dysmenorrhea, and blood pressure than those in the control group. However, no significant differences were found between two groups for pulse, respiration, and temperature.

Conclusion

These findings show that thermotherapy was effective for reduction of menstrual pain, dysmenorrhea, and B/P. Therefore, this therapy could be used as a nursing intervention for students with dysmenorrhea.

Keywords: Infrared rays, Heating, Dysmenorrhea

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Homogeneity Test of General & Menstruation-related Characteristics between Experimental and Control Group (N=48)
jkan-41-141-i001

*Fisher's exact test.

Table 2
Homogeneity of Menstrual Pain, Dysmenorrhea, Abdomen temperature and V/S between Experimental and Control Groups
jkan-41-141-i002

SBP=systolic blood pressure; DBP=diastolic blood pressure.

Table 3
Comparison of Menstrual Pain, Dysmenorrhea, & V/S between Experimental and Control Groups
jkan-41-141-i003

Exp=experimental group; Con=control group; SBP=systolic blood pressure; DBP=diastolic blood pressure.

Table 4
Drug requirements in post-test between Experimental and Control Groups
jkan-41-141-i004

*Fisher's exact test.

References

1. Andersch B, Milsom I. An epidemiologic study of young women with dysmenorrhea. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 1982. 144:655–660.
2. Anderson DM, Keith J, Novak PD, editors. Mosby's medical, nursing, & allied health dictionary. 2002. 6th ed. New York, NY: Mosby.
3. Chen CH, Lin YH, Heitkemper MM, Wu KM. The selfcare strategies of girls with primary dysmenorrhea: A focus group study in Taiwan. Health Care for Women International. 2006. 27:418–427.
4. Chi JG, editor. Medical dictionary. 2006. 1st ed. Seoul: Academia.
5. Dawood MY, Ramos J. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized crossover comparison with placebo TENS and ibuprofen. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 1990. 75:656–660.
6. Deligeoroglou E. Dysmenorrhea. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2000. 900:237–244.
7. Fedele L, Bianchi S, Bocciolone L, Nola GD, Arcaini L, Franchi D. Relief of dymenorrhea associated with septate uteri after abdominal of hysteroscopic metroplasty. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. 1994. 73:56–58.
8. Han SH, Hur MH. A study on the menstrual pain and dysmenorrhea, factors influenced to them, of college students. Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education. 1999. 5:359–375.
9. Han SH, Hur MH, Buckle J, Choi JY, Lee MS. Effect of aromatherapy on symptoms of dysmenorrhea in college students: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2006. 12:535–541.
10. Harel Z. A contemporary approach to dysmenorrhea in adolescents. Paediatric Drugs. 2002. 4:797–805.
11. Hondras MA, Long CR, Brennan PC. Spinal manipulative therapy versus a low force mimic maneuver for women with primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized, observer-blinded clinical trial. Pain. 1999. 81:105–114.
12. Jonathan SB, Eli YA, Paula AH. Novak's gynecology. 1996. 12th ed. Hong Kong: Williams & Wilkins.
13. Jones AE. Managing the pain of primary and secondary dysmenorrhea. Nursing Times. 2004. 100:40–43.
14. Jun EM. A study on menstrual symptoms, coping and relief of symptoms in female college students. Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing. 2003. 9:161–169.
15. Kang IS. The effect of thermotherapy on high school girl's dysmenorrhea. 2001. Seoul: Kyunghee University;Unpublished master's thesis.
16. Kang SG. A study of physiological influences caused by hyperthermic effect of far-infrared radiation on human body. 2003. Jeonju: Chonbuk National University;Unpublished master's thesis.
17. Kessenich CR. Continuous topical heat was as effective as ibuprofen for dysmenorrhea. Evidence Based Nursing. 2001. 4(4):113.
18. Kim HW, Kim YS, Lee KS. DITI of the abdomen of twenties' dysmenorrhea patients. Journal of Oriental Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2001. 14:311–318.
19. Kim JS, Jo YJ, Hwang SK. The effects of abdominal meridian massage on menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea in full-time employed women. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing. 2005. 35:1325–1332.
20. Kim MY, Jung MS, Chung KA. Degree of dysmenorrhea and self-management of dysmenorrhea in the high-school girl-student. Journal of Korean Academy of Women's Health Nursing. 2000. 6:413–426.
21. Kim YS, Kim MZ, Jeong IS. The effect of self-foot reflexology on the relief of menstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea in high school girls. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing. 2004. 34:801–808.
22. Lehmann JF, DeLaterur BJ. Therapeutic heat: Therapeutic heat and cold. 1982. 3rd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins.
23. Lewers D, Clelland JA, Jackson JR. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in the relief of primary dysmenorrhea. Physical Therapy. 1989. 69:3–9.
24. Lundstrom V, Green K. Endogenous levels of prostaglandin F2 and its main metabolites in plasma and endometrium of normal and dysmenorrheic women. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 1978. 130:640–646.
25. Michalsen A, Löer D, Melchart D, Dobos G. Changes of short-time heart rate variability during hyperthermia treatment with infrared: A whole body irradiation. Forschende Komplementärmedizin. 1999. 6:212–215.
26. Moore J, Copley S, Morris J, Lindsell D, Golding S, Kennedy S. A systematic review of the accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of endometriosis. Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2002. 20:630–634.
27. Smith RP. Finding the best approach to dysmenorrhea. Contemporary OB/GYN. 2006. 51(11):54–56.
28. Springhouse Corporation. HS So SR Suh IG Kwon YH Kim YH Yun . Pain management made incredibly easy. 2003. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott-Williams and Wilkins.
29. Yamazaki T. Science of far-infrared therapy. 1987. Tokyo: Ningen to Rekishisha.
TOOLS
Similar articles