Effect of mindful breathing on anxiety, depression, and quality of life among women with endometriosis.
Mardiana Mansor, Mei-Chan Chong, Chui Ping Lei, Mukhri Hamdan, Nurul Afiedia Roslim, Rif'Atunnailah Mat Isa
Journal of reproductive and infant psychology February 5, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2026.2622923 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 108 |
| Population | Women with endometriosis |
| Intervention | mindful breathing exercises |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression |
| Keywords | Endometriosis Mindful breathing exercises Quality of life |
| Key findings | Mindful breathing exercises significantly reduced anxiety and depression and improved quality of life in women with endometriosis. |
Abstract
Women diagnosed with endometriosis often experience heightened anxiety, depression, and a diminished quality of life (QoL). To address these issues, mindful breathing exercises have been introduced aimed at reducing anxiety and depression and enhancing overall QoL. This study aims to evaluate the levels and differences in anxiety, depression, and QoL among women with endometriosis before and after a mindful breathing exercise, between the intervention and control groups. This quasi-experimental study involved 108 women with endometriosis, selected through convenience sampling. Participants were divided into two groups: an intervention group (n = 54) and a control group (n = 54). The mean total anxiety score of the intervention group significantly decreased from 13.22 ± 2.84 at baseline to 6.70 ± 3.11 at T3 (p < 0.01). Similarly, the mean total depression score was reduced from 12.56 ± 3.95 at baseline to 4.31 ± 3.56 at T3 (p < 0.01). Additionally, the mean total QoL score improved from 70.48 ± 19.04 at baseline to 21.28 ± 14.53 at T3 (p < 0.01). These results indicate that the mindful breathing exercises led to statistically significant improvements in anxiety, depression, and QoL. This finding recommended that nursing practices in clinical, educational, and management settings adopt and implement mindful breathing exercises to better support women with endometriosis.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A PILOT STUDY OF GROUP MINDFULNESS-BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY (MBCT) FOR COMBAT VETERANS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) Veterans with chronic combat posttraumatic stress disorder seeking treatment at a VA... | 2013 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual comparison group | n = 37 |
| Being present in the face of existential threat: The role of trait mindfulness in reducing defensive responses to mortality salience. | 2010 | Experimental study | |
| Neural correlates of mindfulness meditation-related anxiety relief Healthy adults with no prior meditation experience | 2013 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 15 |
| Intensive mindfulness training-related changes in cognitive and emotional experience Community adults | 2009 | Quasi-experimental and longitudinal | n = 69 |
| Prospective examination of synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine inhalation: effects on salivary IL-6, cortisol levels, affect, and non-judgment Volunteers | 2019 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 11 |
Citations in the library
Cites 11
- A mindfulness meditation mobile app improves depression and anxiety in adults with sleep disturbance: Analysis from a randomized controlled trial General Hospital Psychiatry September 11, 2021
- Effect of Mindfulness Breathing Meditation on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: A Randomized Controlled Trial among University Students Healthcare December 22, 2022
- Mental and Physical Health Impacts of Mindfulness Training for College Undergraduates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Mindfulness September 1, 2023
- The effect of a mindfulness-based stress intervention on neurobiological and symptom measures in adolescents with early life stress: a randomized feasibility study BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies April 15, 2021
- Mindful Breathing as an Adjunctive Approach to Chronic Low Back Pain Management: A Scoping Review Pain Management Nursing April 30, 2024
and 6 more in the library