--- title: Does mindfulness-based cognitive therapy reduce PMS, depression and anxiety? description: Yes. Women who received mindfulness-based cognitive therapy showed significantly lower depression, anxiety, and PMS symptoms than those who received no treatm url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-effects-of-mindfulness-based-cognitive-therapy-on-depression-and-anxiety-in-2016/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does mindfulness-based cognitive therapy reduce PMS, depression and anxiety? Randomised trial, 2016 # Does mindfulness-based cognitive therapy reduce PMS, depression and anxiety? Yes. Women who received mindfulness-based cognitive therapy showed significantly lower depression, anxiety, and PMS symptoms than those who received no treatment. Moderate study design 60 university students with mild to moderate PMS and depressive symptoms ## What they did 60 university students with mild to moderate PMS and depression were randomly assigned to treatment or control. The treatment group had 8 sessions of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, 120 minutes each, over 8 weeks. The control group got no treatment. All completed questionnaires about PMS, depression and anxiety at start and end. ## What they found At the end of the study, the treatment group had lower scores than the control group: depression 15.73 versus 25.36, anxiety 16.96 versus 26.60, and total PMS symptoms 42.86 versus 58.93. These differences were statistically significant. ## What it means for you Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy appears helpful for women with mild to moderate PMS who also have depression. Psychological approaches should be considered as a treatment option. The study was moderate-sized and properly controlled, but was done at one university in Iran, so more research elsewhere would be helpful. 60 students in study 8 therapy sessions 120 minutes per session ## About the study Original title The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Depression and Anxiety in Women with Premenstrual Syndrome Authors Panahi F, Faramarzi M Journal Depression research and treatment Year 2016 Study design Randomised trial Participants 60 What was tested Eight group sessions of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, 120 minutes each, over 8 weeks Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1155/2016/9816481](https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/9816481) Original abstract Objective . Little research has been done regarding the role of psychotherapy in the treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on the PMS symptoms and depression and anxiety symptoms in women with PMS. Design . In a randomized controlled trial, a total of 60 students at Mazandaran University with mild to moderate PMS who had depressive symptoms (Beck depression scores 16-47) were randomly allocated to either an experimental ( n = 30) or a control ( n = 30) group. The experimental group received MBCT in eight group sessions (120 min each) over 8 weeks. The control group received no intervention. All participants completed the Premenstrual Assessment Scale (PAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) at the beginning and the end of the study. Repeated-measure ANOVA was used to analyze the data. Results . At the end of study, the experimental and control groups showed the following scores, respectively (mean ± SD): depression, 15.73 ± 6.99 and 25.36 ± 7.14; anxiety, 16.96 ± 7.78 and 26.60 ± 9.38; and total PAS, 42.86 ± 8.02 and 58.93 ± 8.47. MBCT improved depression and anxiety symptoms and total PAS score. Conclusion . MBCT intervention is acceptable and potentially beneficial in women with PMS symptoms. Psychotherapy should be considered as a treatment option for mild to moderate PMS in women with depressive symptoms. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Cognitive behavioral therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-cbt/)[Mindfulness and meditation](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-mindfulness/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/) 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, 2010 How do anxiety disorders differ across different life stages? Systematic review, 2026 Do mindfulness and relaxation techniques help with PMS symptoms? Systematic review, 2026 What types of talking therapy have been studied for PMS and PMDD? Systematic review, 2026 Do digital tools and apps help reduce PMS and PMDD symptoms? Randomised trial, 2013 Does psychological education reduce PMS symptoms in teenagers? Non-randomised trial, 2024 Does cognitive-behavioral or mindfulness stress management help reduce PMS in high school girls? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗