Study, 1989
What's the best way to measure premenstrual tension using mood diaries?
Six of seven tested methods gave similar results. Methods using bipolar mood scales (with both positive and negative options) and based on known symptom patterns worked best, though some complex cases showed discrepancies of 9-23%.
What they did
Researchers had 44 women with premenstrual syndrome keep daily mood records across 133 menstrual cycles using bipolar mood scores (scales measuring both positive and negative feelings). The researchers compared 7 different methods for measuring premenstrual tension: four simple methods comparing premenstrual mood to other times in the cycle and three more complex mathematical methods.
What they found
Six of the seven methods gave similar results for detecting premenstrual tension. Methods using bipolar mood scores and based on known symptom patterns worked well. Methods using one-direction-only scores worked only when calculating differences, not ratios. Different methods disagreed on 9-23% of cycles, especially for cycles with double symptom peaks or symptoms starting early in the cycle phase. For these complex cycles, only the 5-term Fourier series method gave clear results.
What it means for you
Different ways to measure premenstrual tension can work similarly if they use the right mood scale and symptom patterns. However, some women have unusual patterns that simpler methods might miss. This study is about how to measure PMS accurately, not about what causes or treats it. The results help researchers choose the best measurement method.
44
women with premenstrual syndrome
133
menstrual cycles tracked
9-23%
discrepancy between methods
About the study
- Original title
- Assessment of the significance and severity of premenstrual tension--II. Comparison of methods
- Authors
- Metcalf MG, Livesey JH, Wells JE
- Journal
- Journal of psychosomatic research
- Year
- 1989
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 44
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(89)90019-6
Topics
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