The effects of acupressure and yoga for coping with premenstrual syndromes on premenstrual symptoms and quality of life

Objective: This study aims to identify the effects of acupressure and yoga for coping with premenstrual syndromes (PMS) on the premenstrual symptoms and quality of life. Methods: This study adopted a randomized intervention design with a pretest-posttest control group. The sample consisted of 155 students with PMS complaints (50 in yoga, 51 in acupressure, and 54 in control group). The students in the intervention groups did yoga and received acupressure throughout 12 weeks. Results: It was found that the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale posttest mean score of the students was lower, and the physical health, psychological health, and environment sub-scale mean scores of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire were higher in the yoga group in comparison to the other groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Yoga was found to be a more effective non-pharmacological method for coping with premenstrual symptoms.