Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or Psychoeducation for the Reduction of Menopausal Symptoms: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in reducing menopause-related symptoms compared to an active control group (menopause education control).
Results Summary
Both MBSR and the control group showed reduced menopausal symptoms over time, with MBSR demonstrating greater reductions in anxiety and depression subscales but no significant differences in other symptom categories.
Population
Symptomatic peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women with mild to moderate symptoms.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
2 months (intervention), with follow-ups at 5 and 8 months
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) | decrease | total GCS score | Symptomatic peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women with mild to moderate symptoms | - | reported a reduction | #1 |
menopause education control (MEC) | decrease | total GCS score | Symptomatic peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women with mild to moderate symptoms | - | reported a reduction | #2 |
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) | decrease | Anxiety subscale of GCS | Symptomatic peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women with mild to moderate symptoms | - | show significant symptom score reduction | #3 |
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) | decrease | Depression subscale of GCS | Symptomatic peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women with mild to moderate symptoms | - | show significant symptom score reduction | #4 |
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) | no change | other GCS subscales | Symptomatic peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women with mild to moderate symptoms | - | No differences were found | #5 |
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) | no change | majority of the secondary outcome measures | Symptomatic peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women with mild to moderate symptoms | - | No differences were found | #6 |
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) | decrease | menopausal symptoms | Symptomatic peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women with mild to moderate symptoms | - | significantly reduced | #7 |
menopause education control (MEC) | decrease | menopausal symptoms | Symptomatic peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women with mild to moderate symptoms | - | significantly reduced | #8 |
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) | decrease | psychological symptoms of depression and anxiety | Symptomatic peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women with mild to moderate symptoms | - | show a greater reduction | #9 |
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) | no change | other somatic, urogenital and vasomotor symptoms | Symptomatic peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women with mild to moderate symptoms | - | do not reduce | #10 |
Psychological and behavioural interventions may be effective in reducing menopause-related symptoms. This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in reducing menopause-related symptoms by comparing with an active control group, the menopause education control (MEC). Symptomatic peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women with mild to moderate symptoms were recruited. The primary outcome was overall menopausal symptoms measured by modified Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS). Secondary outcomes include subscales of the GCS perceived stress, mindfulness and health related Quality of Life. All outcome measures were collected at baseline, 2 months (immediately post intervention), 5 and 8 months (3 and 6 months post intervention respectively). Both MBSR (n = 98) and MEC (n = 99) groups reported a reduction in total GCS score at 8 months. Between group analysis show significant symptom score reduction in MBSR group on Anxiety and Depression subscales of GCS. No differences were found between groups on other GCS subscales and majority of the secondary outcome measures. The findings show that menopausal symptoms in both MBSR and MEC significantly reduced over the study period. MBSR show a greater reduction of psychological symptoms of depression and anxiety above active controls but do not reduce other somatic, urogenital and vasomotor symptoms.