Randomised trial, 2016
Can relaxation and positive self-talk reduce PMS symptoms?
Yes. Both relaxation and positive self-talk reduced PMS symptoms compared to no treatment, and combining the two worked better than either alone.
What they did
80 women with PMS in Iran were divided into four groups. One group did positive self-talk, one did relaxation, one did both together, and one received no treatment. All treatment groups had 8 one-hour sessions. Women were followed up for 6 months after treatment ended.
What they found
Compared to the control group, relaxation reduced PMS symptom scores to 23.2 and positive self-talk reduced them to 21.25 (both P less than 0.001). Combining relaxation and positive self-talk was more effective, reducing scores to 13.75.
What it means for you
Psychological treatment using relaxation and positive self-talk can significantly reduce PMS symptoms. Combining the two approaches is more effective than using either alone, and the effect lasted through 6 months of follow-up. The study was done in one region of Iran, so results may differ in other settings.
80
women in study
8
sessions
13.75
combined treatment symptom score
About the study
- Original title
- The Effect of Relaxation and Positive Self-Talk on Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome
- Authors
- Fatemeh Kimiyaee Asadi, Ahmad Ali Jadidian, Jalil Aslani
- Journal
- Avicenna Journal of Neuro Psych Physiology
- Year
- 2016
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 80
- What was tested
- Eight one-hour sessions of positive self-talk, relaxation, or both combined
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.17795/ajnpp-40177
Topics
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