--- title: Does internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy reduce PMS symptoms and improve quality of life? description: Yes. Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy significantly reduced PMS symptoms and improved quality of life during the period itself, though not during l url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/internet-based-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-for-premenstrual-syndrome-a-2022/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy reduce PMS symptoms and improve quality of life? Randomised trial, 2022 # Does internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy reduce PMS symptoms and improve quality of life? Yes. Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy significantly reduced PMS symptoms and improved quality of life during the period itself, though not during less-symptomatic phases. Moderate study design 92 university students aged 18-35 with moderate to severe PMS in Iran ## What they did 92 university students aged 18-35 with moderate to severe PMS were randomly divided into two groups of 46. One group received internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for two menstrual cycles while the other received no treatment. Both groups' PMS symptoms and quality of life were measured before and after using standard questionnaires. ## What they found After therapy, the treated group had significantly lower total PMS symptom scores (10.4 vs 20.2, a difference of 9.9). Their quality of life during the period was significantly higher (64.2 vs 50.3, a difference of 14.1). Quality of life during less symptomatic phases showed no significant difference. Four students in the treatment group were lost to follow-up. ## What it means for you Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy can effectively reduce PMS symptoms and improve wellbeing during menstruation. It doesn't appear to help during phases when symptoms are already mild. The study was limited to university students in Iran. 92 students studied 10.4 vs 20.2 symptom scores after therapy 64.2 vs 50.3 quality of life scores after therapy ## About the study Original title Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for premenstrual syndrome: a randomized controlled trial Authors Borji-Navan S, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, Esmaeilpour K et al. Journal BMC women's health Year 2022 Study design Randomised trial Participants 92 What was tested Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for 2 menstrual cycles Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1186/s12905-021-01589-7](https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-021-01589-7) Original abstract Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common problem of women of reproductive age, affecting various aspects of their lives. However, limited studies have investigated the effect of internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (ICBT) on PMS. Therefore, we aimed to assess whether ICBT can reduce symptom severity of women with PMS and improve their quality of life during the perimenstrual and late follicular phases of menstrual cycle. Methods: The study included 92 university students aged 18-35 years who had moderate to severe PMS. The participants were allocated into two groups of 46 using block randomization. The intervention group underwent ICBT for two menstrual cycles, while the control group received no intervention. Before and after the intervention, all participants filled the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) for two menstrual cycles and the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) on days 1-2 and 11-13 of the menstrual cycle. Data were analyzed using univariate general linear models. Results: Four students in the intervention group were lost to follow-up. Following the intervention, the mean score of total PMS symptoms was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (10.4 vs. 20.2, adjusted difference: - 9.9 [95% CI - 13.3 to - 6.6]), and the score of perimenstrual quality of life was significantly higher (64.2 vs. 50.3, 14.1 [8.5 to 19.8]). However, there was no significant intergroup difference in the late follicular quality of life (68.3 vs. 67.3, 1.9 [- 4.4 to 8.1]). Conclusions: The ICBT could reduce the symptom severity of women suffering from PMS while improving their perimenstrual quality of life. However, it had no significant effect on the late follicular quality of life. Therefore, this intervention can be used for women with PMS. Trial registration The Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, Identifier: IRCT20100414003706N34, Registered prospectively on 19 June 2019, https://www.irct.ir/trial/38394 . Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Cognitive behavioral therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-cbt/)[Apps and digital interventions](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-digital-health/) 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 Randomised trial, 2022 Does online counselling using cognitive-behavioral techniques help PMS symptoms? Systematic review, 2025 Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS? Randomised trial, 2019 Does online cognitive behavioral therapy help women with PMDD? Systematic review, 2026 Do digital tools and apps help reduce PMS and PMDD symptoms? Randomised trial, 2016 Does cognitive-behavioral therapy improve quality of life in women with premenstrual syndrome? Cohort study, 2010 How do anxiety disorders differ across different life stages? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗