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영어

The purpose of the present study was to determine the association between autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity, muscle properties and the dysmenorrhea degree. The degree of dysmenorrhea was evaluated by self-reported Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ). Also, muscle properties (tone, stiffness, and elasticity) was measured using Myoton Pro on the muscles related to pain by dysmenorrhea: rectus abdominis (RA), erector spinae (ES), rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles. In addition, the activity of ANS was estimated through the heart rate variability (HRV) which is considered an index of the functional status of the ANS. The average of MDQ score of the subjects was 97.95±30.73, and the mean of LF/HF ratio which means sympathetic activity was 2.99±2.41 (range from 0.82 to 9.47). Particularly, there was a significant positive correlation between MDQ total score and the LF/HF ratio (r=0.466, p<0.05). Whereas, MDQ total score and HF indicating parasympathetic activity showed a significant negative correlation (r=-0.463, p<0.05). There was no significant association between dysmenorrhea and muscle properties, moreover no association with balance was identified. However, there was a significant association between muscle properties and balance of the subjects who experienced dysmenorrhea (n=17, MDQ≥70). The elasticity of RA showed a significant positive correlation with OSI (r=0.517, p<0.05) and APSI (r=0.795, p<0.01). Muscle tone in ES showed a significant negative correlation with OSI (r=-0.546, p<0.05) and APSI (r=-0.699, p<0.01), and stiffness in ES showed a significant negative correlation with APSI (r=-0.607, p<0.01). These results suggest that dysmenorrhea symptom could induce the increase of sympathetic activity, while reduction of parasympathetic activity.