---
title: Does relaxation training help women with PMDD? | Niyora
description: Yes. Relaxation training significantly reduced PMDD symptoms, anxiety, depression, and disability in women with PMDD, and improved their quality of life.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/combined-mind-body-intervention-for-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-a-randomized-2025/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- Does relaxation training help women with PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2025

# Does relaxation training help women with PMDD?

Yes. Relaxation training significantly reduced PMDD symptoms, anxiety, depression, and disability in women with PMDD, and improved their quality of life.

 Moderate study design

63 women with PMDD

## What they did

Randomized controlled trial with 63 women who have PMDD. Half received 12 sessions of relaxation training (progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagination), while half received no treatment. Both groups completed symptom questionnaires before and after the intervention.

## What they found

The relaxation training group showed significant improvements in PMDD symptoms, anxiety, depression, disability, and quality of life. The control group showed no significant changes.

## What it means for you

Relaxation training may help PMDD symptoms. However, more research is needed to understand if the benefits last long-term and how it fits into overall PMDD treatment plans.

63

women

12

sessions

## About the study

Original title Combined mind-body intervention for premenstrual dysphoric disorder: A randomized controlled trial Authors Abaoğlu H, Çiftçi HŞ, Ekici G Journal Health care for women international Year 2025 Study design Randomised trial What was tested 12 sessions of relaxation training, including progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagination Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2024.2314219](https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2024.2314219)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Cohort study, 2025

Do women with PMS or PMDD report lower quality of life than women without these conditions?

Non-randomised trial, 2008

Can the Sheehan Disability Scale measure whether treatments work?

Study, 2026

What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Survey study, 2025

Is the PSST a good screening tool for PMS in Bangladesh?

Survey study, 2023

Is PMDD diagnosis associated with more severe depression and anxiety and lower well-being?

Randomised trial, 2017

Does Sepranolone reduce symptoms of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMDD)?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗