Mindfulness for Menopausal Women: Enhancing Quality of Life and Psychological Well-Being Through a Randomized Controlled Intervention.
Shaimaa Mohamed Amin, Heba Emad El-Gazar, Mohamed Ali Zoromba, Mona Metwally El-Sayed, Amal Gamal Elsayed Awad, Mohamed Hussein Ramadan Atta
Journal of Nursing Scholarship July 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1111/jnu.70003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 120 |
| Population | Menopausal women from Damanhour University, Egypt |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based intervention |
| Duration | May to August 2024 |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Menopause Mindfulness‐based intervention Quality of life Randomized controlled trial Stress |
| Citations | 15 |
| Registration | NCT06421909 |
| Key findings | The mindfulness-based intervention significantly improved menopause-specific quality of life and reduced anxiety, stress, and depression while increasing mindfulness in menopausal women. |
Abstract
Menopause is associated with significant physical, psychosocial, and emotional changes that can negatively affect women's quality of life (QoL). In response to this, psychological interventions like mindfulness-based interventions have shown promise in alleviating menopausal symptoms and improving psychological well-being. A comprehensive randomized controlled trial was conducted from May to August 2024 at Damanhour University, Egypt. One hundred and twenty menopausal women were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 60), which participated in seven mindfulness sessions, or the control group (n = 60), which received general health education. Pre and postintervention data were collected using the Menopause-Specific QoL questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale. Independent samples t-tests were performed to compare groups, while paired t-tests assessed within-group changes post-intervention. Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen's d, ensuring a robust and reliable data analysis. The intervention group showed significant improvements across all domains of menopause-specific QoL, including vasomotor (d = 0.788, p < 0.01), psychosocial (d = 1.042, p < 0.01), physical (d = 0.809, p < 0.01), and sexual (d = 0.794, p < 0.01). Additionally, significant reductions were observed in anxiety (d = 1.221, p < 0.01), stress (d = 1.030, p < 0.01), and depression (d = 0.880, p < 0.01), along with a significant increase in mindfulness (d = 1.335, p < 0.01) postintervention. The MBIS significantly improved menopause-specific QoL and reduced anxiety, stress, and depression while enhancing mindfulness in menopausal women. These findings suggest that mindfulness-based interventions could be game changers in managing menopausal symptoms and improving overall psychological well-being, offering hope for a better QoL for menopausal women. The research will primarily impact healthcare providers working with menopausal women, particularly those offering psychological support or nonpharmacological treatments. It also impacts menopausal women themselves by providing evidence-based intervention options that could alleviate menopausal symptoms. Furthermore, researchers and policymakers focusing on women's health and mental well-being may use these findings to inform future studies and healthcare strategies. Women from Damanhur University. This trial was registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov database under the registration number NCT06421909.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Nurse-Led, Digitally Supported Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Early Postmenopausal Women: Protocol for a Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Trial. Journal of Holistic Nursing April 28, 2026
- Mindfulness- and relaxation-based interventions for Premenstrual Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Women & health August 25, 2026
- The Effect of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program on Quality of Life, Life Satisfaction, Sleep Quality, and Mental Well-Being in Menopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Nursing Scholarship July 1, 2026
- Impact of an online mindfulness-based stress reduction program on vasomotor symptoms, stress, and quality of life in premenopausal women Current Psychology May 1, 2026
- Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on depression and anxiety in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry April 20, 2026
Cites 15
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- The effects of mindfulness-based techniques on self-rumination, cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression among patients with major depression: a nursing perspective. Journal of Research in Nursing August 1, 2024
- Golden steps: A nursing approach for vitality, agility, and rumination in geriatric clients with depressive disorders through mindful walking. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing August 1, 2024
- Mindfulness-based training effect on attention, impulsivity, and emotional regulation among children with ADHD: The role of family engagement in randomized controlled trials. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing October 1, 2024
and 10 more in the library