Efficacy of mindfulness meditation to improve quality of life in young women with polycystic ovarian disease
Rachita Bhowal, A. Asia
National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2024 DOI: 10.5455/njppp.2024.14.05190202420052024 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post intervention study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Women diagnosed with PCOS based on Rotterdam criteria |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based meditation program |
| Duration | 9-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Mindfulness meditation significantly improved general health and quality of life in women with PCOS, but did not significantly affect acne-related concerns. |
Abstract
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of women’s most common endocrine disorders that can cause anxiety, psychological distress, and reduced quality of life (QOL). Aims and
Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a 9-week mindfulness-based meditation program on the QOL and general health parameters in young women with PCOS.
Materials and Methods: This study was implemented on women diagnosed with PCOS based on Rotterdam criteria. The program was conducted for 9 weeks, beginning with a 15 min session and gradually increasing it to 60 min. The program included techniques on breath focus, body scan, “Om” chanting, mindful breathing, thinking, seeing, and listening. Pre-intervention questionnaires were given to the participants. These were a PCOS questionnaire (PCOSQ), a general health-related QOL questionnaire, and a five-item questionnaire for acne problems. Responses of participants were analyzed using 22 SPSS statistical software.
Results: There was a significant difference in the mean of pre- and post-intervention Likert scale response values for the 26-item PCOSQ. There was no significant difference in the mean of pre- and post-intervention Likert scale response values for the acne questionnaire. Before the intervention, majority of them were unsatisfied with their health condition, only 8% reported “excellent” health, after the intervention 63% reported “very good.” 42% reported a reduction in pain, and 71% reported that they were calm and peaceful “most of the time.”
Conclusion: Results showed that mindfulness meditation intervention had caused a significant change in general health and QOL of patients with PCOS.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |