Resumo (EN)
Objective – To assess the effectiveness of Pilates ball on the symptomatology of women with primary dysmenorrhea. Methods– This was a randomized controlled clinical study conducted with 29 women with primary dysmenorrhea were divided into two groups: group A with 14 volunteers (30,28 years, ±11,08) submitted to Pilates Ball on a protocol with 10 exercises on the Swiss Ball for 40 minutes 2 times a week for two months; group B or control group with 15 volunteers (23,87 years, ±5,89), who received no intervention. Were evaluated by a specific questionnaire for symptoms and the Visual Analogue Scale (EVA) for pain assessment. Results – In the pre-treatment, the mean pain reported by the volunteers during the menstrual period was 7,92 (±1,20) points for group A and 7,86 (±1,24) points for group B according EVA. After treatment the level of pain reported by group A was 3,21 (±1,52) points and the group B was 7,93 (±1,27), p <0,0001. Symptoms that showed significant differences after treatment were lower limb pain (p=0,0017), abdomen (p=0,000), back (p=0,0005), lumbar (p=0,0078) and headache (p=0,0005) for group A. Conclusion – The use of Pilates favorable results in the decrease of the intensity of menstrual pain and symptoms in the lower limbs, abdomen, back, lower back and headache, there is an alternative without drug in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.
