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.
Ebru Solmaz, Aslı Sis Çelik
Journal of Nursing Scholarship July 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1111/jnu.70116 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 84 |
| Population | Menopausal women at a primary healthcare center in Türkiye |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Menopause Mental health Nursing care Psychological Quality of life Sleep quality Stress reduction |
| Key findings | MBSR significantly improved quality of life, life satisfaction, and mental well-being, and reduced sleep disturbances in menopausal women compared with a no-intervention control group. |
Abstract
Menopause affects nearly one-third of women's lives and is associated with a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms-including sleep disturbances, mood fluctuations, and reduced quality of life-that represent a significant public health concern. While pharmacological treatments carry well-documented risks, evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) remain understudied in this population, particularly with respect to multiple psychosocial outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on quality of life, life satisfaction, sleep quality, and mental well-being among menopausal women. A randomized controlled trial with a pretest-posttest control group design. The study was conducted between February 28 and December 22, 2025, at a primary healthcare center in Türkiye. A total of 84 menopausal women were included (intervention: n = 43; control: n = 41). Data were collected using the Utian Quality of Life Scale, Riverside Life Satisfaction Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. The intervention group participated in an 8-week MBSR program, while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (version 26.0). Compared with the control group, participants in the MBSR group demonstrated significant improvements in quality of life, life satisfaction, and mental well-being, along with significant reductions in sleep disturbances (p < 0.001). Within-group analyses showed significant improvements across all outcomes in the intervention group (p < 0.001), whereas no significant changes were observed in the control group (p > 0.05). The MBSR program was associated with improvements in psychosocial well-being and sleep quality among menopausal women. These findings suggest that MBSR may be a beneficial non-pharmacological approach for managing menopausal symptoms.
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
Cites 11
- Mindfulness‐based stress reduction for psychological distress among nurses: A systematic review Journal of Clinical Nursing July 3, 2019
- Mindfulness for Menopausal Women: Enhancing Quality of Life and Psychological Well-Being Through a Randomized Controlled Intervention. Journal of Nursing Scholarship July 1, 2025
- A randomized, controlled trial study of the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction program on depression and physical problems in depressed elderly individuals. Journal of Health Psychology December 21, 2024
- Effect of mindfulness group therapy on maternal psychological distress and perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2025
- Comparing the Effect of Group and Individual Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy on Happiness of Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Iran. Health science reports April 1, 2025
and 6 more in the library