The Effect of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Premenstrual Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Nurdilan Şener Çetin, Ayça Şolt Kırca
Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health 2023 DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.13530 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 90 |
| Population | University women aged 20-30 who scored at least 45 on the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale and were not receiving other treatments for PMS |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8 weekly 2.5-hour sessions plus a 6-hour silence retreat during week 6; outcomes assessed at baseline and immediately postintervention |
| Measures | Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Midwife Nurse Premenstrual syndrome |
| Registration | NCT05191108 |
| Key findings | Women who received the 8-week MBSR program had significantly lower premenstrual symptom scores than controls immediately after the intervention (PMSS total 96.35 vs 123.02), with a large effect size (partial eta-squared 0.510) and significant reductions on all PMSS subscales. The authors conclude MBSR was effective in reducing premenstrual symptoms and may be used as a therapy for PMS. |
Abstract
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is an important health problem that affects women of childbearing age. Mindfulness, a meditation practice that cultivates the acceptance of events as they occur in the moment without judgment, is a promising strategy to help women cope with PMS. This study aimed to test the efficacy of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program in decreasing premenstrual symptoms compared with a control group. This study was a prospective, single-masked randomized controlled trial conducted between February and April 2022 with 90 university students. Participants were women between 20 and 30 years of age, scored at least 45 on the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS), and were not receiving other treatments for PMS. Participants were randomized into experimental (MBSR) and control groups in a 1:1 allocation. MBSR was provided in 8 weekly sessions lasting 2.5 hours and a 6-hour silence retreat during week 6. Symptoms of PMS were evaluated with the PMSS at baseline and postintervention. Differences between groups were compared postintervention using analysis of covariance to correct for baseline scores. The study was registered at www. gov before the data collection process was initiated (NCT05191108). Of the 90 enrolled participants, 74 participants completed the study and postintervention assessment (37 in each group). Immediately postintervention, the women in the experimental group had significantly lower PMS symptoms than women in the control group (PMSS total score, 96.35 vs 123.02; P < .001). The effect size for the change in premenstrual symptoms was large (partial η2 , 0.510). Specific symptoms measured by the PMSS subscales all showed significant reductions in scores in the MBSR group compared with the control group. A mindfulness stress reduction program was effective in reducing premenstrual symptoms. MBSR programs may be used as a therapy for PMS. Future studies should test MBSR in larger and more diverse groups of women with PMS.
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
Cited by 6
- Online mindfulness-based stress reduction improves anxiety and depression status and quality of life in caregivers of patients with severe mental disorders. Zhejiang da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences January 31, 2024
- Mindfulness for Midwives: Supporting Health and Well‐Being for Our Clients and Ourselves Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health September 1, 2023
- Mindfulness- and relaxation-based interventions for Premenstrual Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Women & health August 25, 2026
- Contemplative-based interventions for premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review of psychobiological outcomes Frontiers in Psychology August 10, 2026
- A comprehensive review of literature on the relationship between spirituality and working women's physical health and performance. Journal of Health Psychology May 2, 2026
and 1 more in the library
Cites 5
- Effect of mindfulness-based cognitive infertility stress therapy on psychological well-being of women with infertility Middle East Fertility Society Journal June 28, 2018
- Mindfulness Training Intervention With the Persian Version of the Mindfulness Training Mobile App for Premenstrual Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2022
- The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Premenstrual Syndrome February 28, 2018
- Effectiveness of Mindfulness-based interventions on physiological and psychological complications in adults with diabetes: A systematic review. Journal of Health Psychology July 2017
- The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Depression and Anxiety in Women with Premenstrual Syndrome Depression Research and Treatment 2016