الفهرس 
Title : Effect of acupressure on cortisol levels in primary dysmenorrhea
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Abstract
Background: Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common menstrual disorders and is influenced by various factors, including psychological stress. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of acupressure on plasma cortisol levels in primary dysmenorrhea. Subjects: Thirty adult females with primary dysmenorrhea their age ranged from 18-28 years, they were recruited from the Gynecological Outpatient Clinic, Agouza Hospital and they were randomized into 2 groups. group (A) received hot packs on lower abdomen and back for 2 successive menstrual cycles (n=15), while group (B) received the same hot packs in addition to acupressure at the spleen point (SP6) for 2 successive menstrual cycles (n=15). Material and Method: The levels of plasma cortisol and the scores of short form of McGill pain questionnaire were evaluated pre-treatment, after 1 month and after 2 months of treatment. Results: Plasma cortisol levels revealed statistically non-significant differences within both groups as well as between groups at all measuring periods (p>0.05). McGill pain questionnaire scores revealed significant reductions at both post 1 month and post 2 months when compared to pre-treatment (p<0.05), while they showed non-significant differences between post 1 month and post 2 months within both groups (p>0.05), except for pain rating index in group (A) which showed significant reduction between post 1 month and post 2 month (p> 0.05) . Comparing both groups revealed that there non-significant differences in McGill pain questionnaire scores at all measuring periods (p>0.05), except for present pain intensity scores that showed a significant reduction at post 2 months of treatment in favour of group (B) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Acupressure has no effective plasma cortisol levels reduction in primary dysmenorrhea; however, it is effective in treating females with primary dysmenorrhea through reducing scores of present pain intensity