---
title: Does cognitive-behavioral coping skills training reduce premenstrual symptoms?
description: Yes. Women who received coping skills training showed clear reductions in premenstrual symptoms and negative thinking right after treatment and at 9-month fol
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/changes-in-premenstrual-symptoms-and-irrational-thinking-following-cognitive-1994/
---

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- Does cognitive-behavioral coping skills training reduce premenstrual symptoms?

Case-control study, 1994

# Does cognitive-behavioral coping skills training reduce premenstrual symptoms?

Yes. Women who received coping skills training showed clear reductions in premenstrual symptoms and negative thinking right after treatment and at 9-month follow-up.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with severe premenstrual symptoms

## What they did

Women with severe premenstrual symptoms were assigned to three groups: coping skills training (13 women), generic treatment (12 women), or a waiting list (12 women). Symptoms were measured before treatment, right after, and 9 months later.

## What they found

The coping skills group showed clear reductions in symptom severity and negative thinking at the end of treatment and at 9-month follow-up. The other two groups showed no significant changes.

## What it means for you

Coping skills training may help reduce premenstrual symptoms with benefits lasting at least 9 months. The study was small and did not randomly assign people, which limits confidence. Negative thinking during the premenstrual phase appears to be a product of stress rather than a cause of PMS.

13

women in coping skills group

9 months

duration benefits lasted

12

women in each control group

## About the study

Original title Changes in premenstrual symptoms and irrational thinking following cognitive-behavioral coping skills training Authors Kirkby RJ Journal Journal of consulting and clinical psychology Year 1994 Study design Case-control study Participants 13 What was tested Cognitive-behavioral coping skills training Read the paper [doi.org/10.1037//0022-006x.62.5.1026](https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-006x.62.5.1026)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Cognitive behavioral therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-cbt/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)

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