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Mindfulness‐based stress reduction for menopausal symptoms after risk‐reducing salpingo‐oophorectomy ( PURSUE study): a randomised controlled trial

Catheleine M. G. van Driel, Geertruida H. de Bock, Maya J. Schroevers, MJ Mourits

BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology September 17, 2018 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.15471 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 66
Population Women carrying BRCA1/2 mutations who developed at least two moderate-to-severe menopausal symptoms after risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy
Intervention Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)
Duration 8-week MBSR programme; follow-up at 3, 6, and 12 months
Measures Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL), Female Sexual Function Index, Female Sexual Distress Scale
Topics Meditation
Citations 32
Key findings MBSR improved menopause-specific quality of life at 3 and 12 months compared with care as usual (both P = 0.04; mean MENQOL 3.5 vs 3.8 at 3 months and 3.6 vs 3.9 at 12 months), but showed no significant improvement in sexual functioning or sexual distress.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the short- and long-term effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on the resulting quality of life, sexual functioning, and sexual distress after risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO).

Design: Randomised controlled trial.

Setting: A specialised family cancer clinic of the university medical center Groningen. POPULATION: Sixty-six women carriers of the BRCA1/2 mutation who developed at least two moderate-to-severe menopausal symptoms after RRSO.

Methods: Women were randomised to an 8-week MBSR training programme or to care as usual (CAU). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL), the Female Sexual Function Index, and the Female Sexual Distress Scale, administered from baseline at 3, 6, and 12 months. Linear mixed modelling was applied to compare the effect of MBSR with CAU over time.

Results: At 3 and 12 months, there were statistically significant improvements in the MENQOL for the MBSR group compared with the CAU group (both P = 0.04). At 3 months, the mean MENQOL scores were 3.5 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI 3.0-3.9) and 3.8 (95% CI 3.3-4.2) for the MBSR and CAU groups, respectively; at 12 months, the corresponding values were 3.6 (95% CI 3.1-4.0) and 3.9 (95% CI 3.5-4.4). No significant differences were found between the MBSR and CAU groups in the other scores.

Conclusion: Mindfulness-based stress reduction was effective at improving quality of life in the short- and long-term for patients with menopausal symptoms after RRSO; however, it was not associated with an improvement in sexual functioning or distress. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Mindfulness improves menopause-related quality of life in women after risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy.

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

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