Mindfulness- and relaxation-based interventions for Premenstrual Syndrome: A Systematic Review.
Adebimpe Obembe, Jasmine Ramos, Emily Reis, Grace Souerdyke, Kristan Pilakowski
Women & health August 25, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2026.2719876 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,598 |
| Population | Reproductive-age women with premenstrual symptoms |
| Interventions | Yoga Guided imagery Mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy Progressive muscle relaxation Meditation Counseling Occupational therapy intervention |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Premenstrual syndrome Daily activities Mindfulness techniques Physical symptoms Relaxation |
| Key findings | Mindfulness- and relaxation-based interventions decreased physical symptoms (pain, fatigue) and psychosocial symptoms (anxiety, depression, stress, sexual function) in women with PMS, improving quality of life. Evidence remains limited but supports meaningful improvements. |
Abstract
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects many women of reproductive age, often disrupting daily activities. Mindfulness- and relaxation-based techniques, such as yoga and progressive muscle relaxation techniques, can alleviate both physical and psychosocial symptoms associated with PMS. This systematic review synthesized existing evidence on the effects of mindfulness and relaxation interventions on the physical and psychosocial functioning of women experiencing PMS. The searches were conducted across five databases (PubMed, CINAHL Complete, ProQuest, MasterFILE Complete, and JSTOR Life Sciences) and two publisher websites (Wiley and Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.). This review followed the PRISMA guidelines and evaluated the quality of individual studies. Included were reproductive-age women using mindfulness or relaxation techniques for premenstrual symptoms in peer-reviewed intervention studies published between December 2015 and December 2025. This review included 22 studies involving 1,598 participants, comprising 13 RCTs, 7 non-RCTs, and 2 studies without a control group. The interventions included yoga (4), guided imagery (2), mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy (2), progressive muscle relaxation (6), and other programs (5). One study each used an occupational therapy intervention, meditation, and counseling. The interventions typically lasted 20-60 minutes (18/22), and 19 studies evaluated PMS symptom severity. Mindfulness-and relaxation-based interventions decreased physical symptoms such as pain and fatigue, and psychosocial symptoms such as anxiety, depression, stress, and sexual function, resulting in an improved quality of life. Mindfulness- and relaxation-based interventions are associated with meaningful improvements in psychosocial, physical, and functional outcomes for PMS, although the evidence remains limited. These approaches may be considered as components of comprehensive, occupation-based care to support participation and overall well-being.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cites 17
- The Empirical Status of Mindfulness-Based Interventions: A Systematic Review of 44 Meta-Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials Perspectives on Psychological Science February 16, 2021
- Mindfulness for Menopausal Women: Enhancing Quality of Life and Psychological Well-Being Through a Randomized Controlled Intervention. Journal of Nursing Scholarship July 1, 2025
- The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on menopausal symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Affective Disorders July 15, 2025
- The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapies on Sexual Function, Sexual Distress, and Depression in Women: A Meta-Analysis Study. International journal of sexual health : official journal of the World Association for Sexual Health 2025
- Premenstrual Syndrome and Mindfulness: The Mediating Effect of Perceived Social Support and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Women Journal of Disability Research June 30, 2023
and 12 more in the library