Effects of cold versus hot compress on pain in university students with primary dysmenorrhea

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecological complaint among young women. Several therapeutic resources have been studied, aiming at reducing pain. The objective of this study was to identify the influence of cold or hot compresses on pain intensity and pressure pain tolerance thresholds in women with primary dysmenorrhea. METHODS: A single-blind randomized clinical study involving 40 young women divided into two groups: hot compress or cold compress, applied for 20 minutes on the lower abdomen and lower back regions. Pressure pain tolerance thresholds were evaluated by algometry in the vastus medialis, gluteus maximus, lumbar paravertebral muscles and supraspinatus ligaments L4-L5 and L5-S1. Pain intensity was assessed by the visual analog scale. RESULTS: No significant changes in pressure pain tolerance thresholds were observed immediately after the application of the compresses, nor 30 minutes later. The comparison of the variation in the effect of changes showed no differences between the intervention groups, either regarding the pressure pain tolerance thresholds or the visual analog scale. However, both groups had a significant reduction in the visual analog scale right after the application and 30 minutes after the end of the intervention. Nevertheless, right after the use of the compresses, as well as 30 minutes after its end, the group that received the cold compress had a more significant reduction in pain intensity (p=0.002 and p=0.004, respectively). CONCLUSION: Cold or hot compresses did not produce changes in pressure pain tolerance thresholds. However, pain perception was lower after this treatment, especially in the group using cold compresses.