The assessment of Kinesiology Taping application in the reduction of menstrual pains among female basketball players

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. A menstrual pain often contributes to the decline of a woman's life quality. It remains a serious problem in an everyday life, but also in a proffessional life of a sportwoman as it significantly affects the achieved results. Pharmacology is the most popular way to cease the menstrual pain. However, thanks to the development of physiotherapy, many methods of the menstrual pain management have been emerged and they are still evolving. It is in this regard especially noticebale that Kinesiology Taping should be paid rapt attention. AIM OF THE RESEARCH. The aim of the research is to assess Kinesiology Taping application in the reduction of menstrual pains among female basketball players. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY. The reaserch was conducted in a group of 35 women aged 20-36 with regular menstrual cycles and who train basketball professionaly. This group was for itself the study group and the control group. The assessment was conducted twice: 1) the first menstrual cycle after the research inclusion (no medical intervention); 2) the second menstrual cycle with the application of Kinesiology Taping. 3 day prior menstrual bleeding Kinesiology Taping was used among the participants of the reasearch. The 'I'-shaped cutting technique was used. The tapes tension was 50% and they were on women's bodies for 7 days. RESULTS. The average pain intensity in the NRS scale before the therapy was 5,525286 (median 6,00). Whereas after the therapy with the kinesiology taping application the decline of pain intensity was noted at the level of 3,428571 (median 3,00). The statistical analysis showed that the use of Kinesiology Taping had statistically significant – p<0,05 impact on the reduction of pain intensity in the NRS scale. The average value for the sum of the achieved points in the Laitinen pain questionnaire before the therapy was 9,428571; after the application of Kinesiology Taping 5,628571. Changes were also noted with the respect to the median- decline from 10,00 to 6,00. The statistical analysis showed that the use of Kinesiology Taping had statistically significant – p<0,05 impact on the sum of the achieved points in the Laitinen pain questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS. 1. Kinesiology Taping has a statistically significant impact on the reduction of the menstrual pain intensity in the NRS scale among female basketball players aged 20-36. 2. Kinesiology Taping has a statistically significant impact on the reduction of the menstrual pain intensity and frequency among female basketball players aged 20-36. 3. Kinesiology Taping has a statistically significant impact on the reduction of the painkillers intake among female basketball players aged 20-36. 4. Kinesiology Taping has a statistically significant impact on the reduction of the restraints of physical activity among female basketball players aged 20-36.