Mindfulness Training Intervention With the Persian Version of the Mindfulness Training Mobile App for Premenstrual Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Dorsa Mazaheri Asadi, Komeil Zahedi Tajrishi, Banafsheh Gharaei
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2022 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.922360 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 80 |
| Population | Iranian women aged 25-45 with premenstrual syndrome, recruited through online advertising |
| Intervention | Smartphone-based Mindfulness training |
| Duration | Two online introductory group sessions followed by 8 weeks of Mindfulness practice |
| Measures | 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey, Premenstrual Symptoms Screening (PSST) questionnaire |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-app Mobile health mhealth Premenstrual syndrome Quality of life |
| Key findings | Smartphone-based mindfulness training reduced premenstrual syndrome symptom scores and improved quality of life compared with no intervention. The authors report the intervention could be an effective treatment modality for women with PMS, especially when in-person therapies are limited. |
Abstract
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common problem for women of reproductive age, affecting various aspects of their lives. While various in-person psychotherapeutic interventions, including Mindfulness therapy, have yielded promising results in reducing PMS symptoms, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, psychotherapists are providing their services via online methods. Therefore, the present study is the first one worldwide to examine whether smartphone-based Mindfulness training can reduce symptoms of PMS and improve the quality of life in women with PMS. We recruited 80 Iranian women (aged 25-45) with PMS through online advertising who were randomly allocated into two groups of 40. The intervention group underwent two online introductory group sessions followed by 8 weeks of Mindfulness practice, while the control group received no intervention. Before and after the intervention, participants completed the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey and the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening (PSST) questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Following the intervention, the mean scores of PMS symptoms were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.18). Likewise, the quality of life score was significantly higher in the intervention group (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.14). Our results indicated that the smartphone-based Mindfulness training intervention could be an effective treatment modality for women with PMS symptoms, especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic, which has posed limitations for in-person therapies. https://fa.irct.ir/trial/59924, identifier: IRCT20180607040000N2.
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 5
- Online mindfulness interventions in the care of people with physical and mental health conditions: a scoping review. BMJ Open July 18, 2025
- 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
- The Effect of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Premenstrual Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health 2023
- App-based daily meditation and menstrual cycle-related effects: a quantitative one-group pilot study
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