Volume 1 • Issue 4 • 1000106 Research Article Open Access Dvivedi et al., J Yoga Phys Ther 2011, 1:4 DOI: 10.4172/2157-7595.1000106 Research Article Open Access A Study of the Effects of Training of 61-Point Relaxation in Women Suffering from Stress of Premenstrual Syndrome Dvivedi J 1 *, Dvivedi S 2 , and Kaur H 1 1 Department of Physiology HIHT University, Jolly Grant, Dehradun 248140, India 2 Department of Plastic Surgery HIHT University, Jolly Grant, Dehradun 248140, India *Corresponding author: Dvivedi J, Department of Physiology HIHT University, Jolly Grant, Dehradun 248140, India, E-mail: jdvivedi@gmail.com Received November 02, 2011; Accepted December 05, 2011; Published December 07, 2011 Citation: Dvivedi J, Dvivedi S, Kaur H (2011) A Study of the Effects of Training of 61-Point Relaxation in Women Suffering from Stress of Premenstrual Syndrome. J Yoga Phys Ther 1:106. doi:10.4172/2157-7595.1000106 Copyright: © 2011 Dvivedi S, et al.. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Keywords: 61-Point relaxation; Nurse; Paramedical; Premenstrual syndrome; Respiratory pattern; Serum; Cortisol; Shavasana; Stress; Yoga Introduction Women have since ages sufered from PMS, a condition of recurrent physical and psychological symptoms occurring in a cyclic fashion during the 7-10 days prior to menstruation, signifcant enough to cause disruption in family, personal, or occupational function [1]. More than 160 symptoms have been associated with the premenstrual phase of ovarian cycle, indicating the heterogeneous diagnostic criteria and ethnic variations [2]. It has also been seen that stressful working conditions contribute to the symptoms of PMS [3]. Various reports that show increased alcohol and cafeine intake in patients of PMS indicate that it is a disease related to premenstrual stress levels. When in excess, cortisol can stimulate the feeling of irritability, anger and rage [4,5]. A method of measuring stress is by estimating serum levels of glucocorticoids [6]. It has been postulated that relaxation reduces stress and thereby cortisol levels. Relaxation is a conscious and comfortable systemic process. A classical relaxation posture in yoga is known as the corpse pose or “Shavasana”. Te ancient Hath Yoga manual describes deeper forms of relaxation like “traveling through your own corpse”. Te 61 points relaxation exercise is a modifed version of this technique which is used to relax the mind and body. It is a guided relaxation technique in which the subject is made to direct attention towards specifc key points in the body and calm them down [7]. Presented here is an analysis of symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome among healthy paramedical workers and nurses, and the efect of ‘61-Points Relaxation’ exercise upon the subjective feeling and premenstrual stress afecting physiological parameters. Methods Seventy fve women from paramedical staf and nurses of reproductive age group volunteered for the study. Out of these, 50 clinically healthy subjects were shortlisted through a ‘premenstrual syndrome questionnaire’ [8]. Based on the presence or absence of symptoms of PMS, the subjects were divided into two groups Group I: 30 Subjects having symptoms of PMS (PMS Group) Group II: 20 subjects having no symptoms of PMS (Control Group) Women with history of chronic illness like diabetes, hypertension, drug intake or surgery were excluded from the study. Te experimental study protocol was explained to them and a detailed informed written consent was obtained from each subject. All the procedures except serum cortisol estimation were non-invasive and the study plan was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University. Experimental Protocol Te subjects were asked to report 4 days prior to expected menstruation at 9 AM. Under standard clinical guidelines in supine posture, a baseline record of heart rate (HR; beats/min), non-invasive systolic blood pressure (SBP; mm Hg) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP; mm Hg) from the right arm were recorded using an automated sphygmomanometer (Panasonic Omron). An automated biofeedback apparatus (J & J Engineering) was used for recording respiratory parameters namely rhythm, pattern of breathing, abdominal dominance (Abdominal & Abdominothoracic) or thoracic dominance (Toracoabdominal), depth of the respiration (mm); and pauses and sighs in breath. Te electrodes of machine were attached to 2 belts worn Abstract The abundance of more than 160 symptoms and 300 treatment modalities suggest that existing treatment modalities of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are not effective. The need for evaluating an effective adjuvant therapy for PMS was thus felt. Due to stressful work conditions nurses suffer more from PMS. Fifty clinically healthy women volunteers in reproductive age group from above class of workers were randomly selected using a premenstrual questionnaire and were divided into PMS and control group based on symptoms. After recording premenstrual symptoms, the basal values of heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respiratory pattern and serum cortisol; subjects were taken through a guided 61-Point Relaxation (61-PR) yogic exercise at the same time of the day for 1 week. The symptoms and parameters were re-recorded after the last relaxation session and the data was statistically analyzed. The basal parameters in PMS group indicated presence of stress and the post relaxation values showed a reversal of the stress-induced alterations of all the recorded parameters. Also, 61-PR caused a subjective perception of stress relief, and the subjects reported a ‘feel good’ response. The results suggest that 61-PR as an effective adjuvant tool for relieving premenstrual stress. Journal of Yoga & Physical Therapy J o u r n a l o f Y o g a & P h y s i c a l T h e r a p y ISSN: 2157-7595 J Yoga Phys Ther, an open access journal ISSN: 2157-7595