Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or Psychoeducation for the Reduction of Menopausal Symptoms: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial
C. Wong, B. Yip, T. Gao, K. Lam, Doris Mei Sum Woo, A. Yip, C. Y. Chin, W. P. Tang, Mandy Mun Tse Choy, K. Tsang, S. Ho, H. Ma, S. Wong
Scientific Reports April 26, 2018 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24945-4 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA randomized controlled trial compared Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with a menopause education control (MEC) in symptomatic peri- and post-menopausal women with mild to moderate symptoms. Both groups reported reduced overall menopausal symptoms on the Greene Climacteric Scale at 8 months. MBSR produced significantly greater reductions on the Anxiety and Depression subscales than MEC, but no differences emerged on other symptom subscales or most secondary outcomes. MBSR appears to reduce psychological symptoms of depression and anxiety beyond active controls but does not reduce somatic, urogenital, or vasomotor symptoms.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 197 |
| Population | Symptomatic peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women with mild to moderate symptoms |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Menopause Education Control (MEC) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 6-month follow-up (assessments at 2, 5, and 8 months) |
| Keywords | Medicine Psychology |
| Key finding | MBSR reduced anxiety and depression symptoms more than menopause education alone, but did not reduce other somatic, urogenital, or vasomotor symptoms. |
Abstract
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.