A study of mindfulness-based stress-reduction training effects on menopause-specific quality of life in postmenopausal women: A randomized controlled trial

Author: Masoomeh Yazdani Aliabadi1, Mojgan Javadnoori2, Amal Saki Malehi3, Khaled Aslani4
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Electronic address: yazdani.mw89@gmail.com. <sup>2</sup> Reproductive Health Promotion Research Center, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Electronic address: javadnoori-m@ajums.ac.ir. <sup>3</sup> Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Electronic address: amalsaki@google.com. <sup>4</sup> Department of Counseling, School of Education and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran. Electronic address: Kh.aslani@scu.ac.ir.
Conference/Journal: Complement Ther Clin Pract
Date published: 2021 Apr 24
Other: Volume ID: 44 , Pages: 101398 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101398. , Word Count: 172


Objectives:
Physical and psychological changes in most postmenopausal women tend to lower their quality of life. Various medical/psychological interventions have been applied to improve the postmenopausal quality of life. This study set out to investigate the effect of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training on the Menopause-specific quality of life (MENQOL).

Methods:
This RCT was conducted on 66 postmenopausal women aged 47-62 in Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to either the MBSR or the control group. The menopause--specific quality of life was assessed in two groups via MENQOL questionnaire prior to, immediately and three months after the intervention.

Results:
The findings revealed a significant improvements in MENQOL (P < 0.001),as well as physical(P = 0.001), psychosocial(P = 0.001) and sexual(P < 0.001)dimensions of the intervention groups compared to the control group, immediately and 3 months after the intervention.

Conclusion:
MBSR program can be safely applied to improve menopausal women's quality of life and curb the postmenopausal symptoms.

Trial registration number:
IRCT2015072523344N1.

Keywords: Menopause; Mind-body medicine; Mindfulness; Quality of life.

PMID: 33915368 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101398