THE EFFECTS OF GUIDED IMAGERY ON DYSMENORRHOEA INTENSITY AND HEMOGLOBIN LEVELS

Abstract

Menstruation is the defined as the periodic efflux of the sloughed endometrium and blood out of the
uterine cavity into the vagina and ultimately outside of a woman’s body. Irregular menstrual cycle
length or number of days of menses may affect the levels of hemoglobin (Hb). Menstrual pain is pain
during menstruation is felt in the lower abdomen and appear before, during or after menstruation.
Guided Imagery is a relaxation technique guiding some one to focus in pleasant images to reduce
pain. The aim of this study is to analyze whether the guided imagery is an effective technique for
reduce dysmenorrhoea and maintain hemoglobin levels during menstrual cycle. This research is a
quasy-experimental research with pre-test and post-test control goup. Data were analyzed using
Mann_Whitney test, and the p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 32
adolescents were studied (16 in treatment group, 16 in control group). After guided imagery,
dysmenorrhoea reduced significantly in the treatment group (4.8 ± 0.8 to 2.6 ± 0.5, p=0.001) and
there was no change in control group (4.6 ± 0.6). There was significant difference between the two
groups (p=0.001). Decrease in hemoglobin levels were lower in treatment group (10.9 ± 0.5 gr% to
10.8 ± 0.4 gr%) compared to the control group (11 ± 0.6 gr% to 10.6 ± 0.5). However there was no
significant difference between the two groups. This study concluded that guided imagery effective in
reduce dysmenorrhoea and maintain hemoglobin levels.