The effect of mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) on the body image of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): a randomized controlled trial.
Zahra Ramazanian Bafghi, Atefeh Ahmadi, Firoozeh Mirzaee, Masumeh Ghazanfarpour
BMC Psychiatry September 11, 2024 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-06057-8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized, single-blind, controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 66 |
| Population | Women of reproductive age (18-45) diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome in Kerman, Iran |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) |
| Duration | Intervention with assessments before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention |
| Measures | Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Polycystic ovary syndrome Treatment outcome Single-blind method Body image Adolescent Middle aged Iran Female Young adult Mindfulness-based interventions Mindfulness-based art therapy |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based art therapy improved body image scores more than a waiting-list control, with adjusted mean differences from baseline of 29.22 at the end of the intervention and 34.77 at one-month follow-up. Among MBSRQ domains, only body area satisfaction showed a conclusive large effect size; other domain results were mixed and inconclusive, which the authors attribute partly to the small sample. |
Abstract
Background: The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has increased in the last decade, resulting in enduring psychological effects, including negative body image. This study explored the effect of mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) on body image in women with PCOS.
Methods: In a randomized, single-blind, controlled trial conducted in Kerman, Iran, women of reproductive age (18-45) who were diagnosed with PCOS and met specific inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to either the MBAT intervention group or a control group placed on a therapy waiting list. The main focus of the study involved evaluating alterations in body image scores as the primary measure. Additionally, the study assessed secondary outcomes, which encompassed various domains of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention. The trial is registered with www.irct.ir (Registration code (25/01/2020): IRCT20170611034452N9).
Results: Between August 2020 and January 2021, 66 participants were randomly assigned to the MBAT or waiting list group, and the study was completed by 60 women. At the end of the intervention, body image (adjusted mean difference from baseline (AMD) of 29.22 [95% CI 19.54, 38.90], P < 0.05) and at the one-month follow-up (AMD of 34.77 [95% CI 24.75, 44.80], P < 0.05) were greater in the MBAT group than in the waiting list group. At certain time points, some MBSRQ domains, including body area satisfaction (BASS) (p < 0.05), appearance evaluation (p < 0.05), fitness orientation (p > 0.05), health orientation (p < 0.05), and self-classified weight (p > 0.05), had higher scores than did the control group. However, only BASS had a conclusive effect size (large). Additionally, appearance orientation (p > 0.05), illness orientation (p > 0.05), health evaluation (p < 0.05), fitness evaluation (p > 0.05), and overweight preoccupation (p < 0.05) had lower scores with variable and inconclusive effect sizes.
Conclusions: The MBAT has potential as an effective approach for enhancing body image in women with PCOS. However, some MBSRQ domain results were inconclusive, likely due to the small sample size. Therefore, further research with a larger sample size is recommended.
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 2
Cites 3
- Short-term effect of internet-delivered mindfulness-based stress reduction on mental health, self-efficacy, and body image among women with breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic Frontiers in Psychology October 25, 2022
- Biobehavioral utility of mindfulness-based art therapy: Neurobiological underpinnings and mental health impacts Experimental Biology and Medicine 2020
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy on Psychological Symptoms in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease. Journal of Korean medical science March 19, 2018