Effect of 90–90 hemi bridge ball and balloon exercises versus Buteyko breathing technique on peak expiratory flow rate and severity of pain in primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized control trial

CONTEXT: One of the most common gynecologic problems, dysmenorrhea is acknowledged as an important personal and public health concern for females. According to recent Indian studies (2023), the prevalence of dysmenorrhea is 60%. The diaphragm and core muscles are majorly affected in primary dysmenorrhea. AIM: The study aims to compare the effects of 90/90 Hemi Bridge with ball and balloon exercises versus Buteyko breathing technique on peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and severity of pain in primary dysmenorrhea. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Comparative study, simple random sampling. METHODS: Thirty-two subjects with primary dysmenorrhea were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and randomly divided into two groups: 16 participants per group. Group A received Buteyko breathing exercises, and Group B received 90-90 hemibridge with ball and balloon exercise given for 30 min a day for 3 times/week, for 4 weeks. Postintervention PEFR and severity of pain were assessed by a peak flow meter and working ability, location, intensity, days of pain, and dysmenorrhea (WaLLID) scale as an outcome measure. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: IBM SPSS software 29.0.10, paired and unpaired t -test for both outcomes. RESULTS: Pre- and postmean difference for outcome 1 (PEFR) in Group A was 76 ± 1, and in Group B was 7 ± 6.8. For outcome 2 (WaLLID Scale) pre-post difference in Group A was 1.5 ± 0 and Group B was 5.3 ± 0.5. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that both techniques are equally beneficial for reducing the severity of pain than increasing PEFR in patients with primary dysmenorrhea.