Study, 1983
What makes PMS research difficult?
Researchers struggle to define what PMS is and how to measure it properly.
Early or limited evidence Experts at a National Institute of Mental Health workshop
What they did
Experts met at a National Institute of Mental Health workshop to discuss main problems in PMS research and ways to improve it.
What they found
The main difficulties are: deciding time limits for the premenstrual phase, selecting a period to compare it against, determining what symptom changes count as meaningful, and establishing how consistent changes need to be. Experts agreed that PMS exists and identified ways to improve research standards.
What it means for you
Before we can do strong PMS research, scientists need to agree on how to define and measure PMS. Without a clear definition, it's hard to do rigorous studies.
About the study
- Original title
- Methodological difficulties plague PMS research
- Journal
- JAMA
- Year
- 1983
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1001/jama.1983.03330450006003