--- title: What does typical PMS research look like and what do studies generally find? description: Most PMS studies include 20 to 80 people and track the same women over time. They consistently find that negative mood and body symptoms get worse before or d url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-modal-study-on-premenstrual-syndrome-or-tension-a-content-analysis-of-315-1996/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - What does typical PMS research look like and what do studies generally find? Review, 1996 # What does typical PMS research look like and what do studies generally find? Most PMS studies include 20 to 80 people and track the same women over time. They consistently find that negative mood and body symptoms get worse before or during the period, especially in women who say they have PMS. Early or limited evidence Analysis of 315 research abstracts on PMS from 1990-1996 ## What they did Analyzed 315 research abstracts about PMS or menstrual tension published between January 1990 and February 1996. Identified the most common study design and findings to describe what a typical PMS study looks like. ## What they found The typical study has 20 to 80 nonpathological subjects and uses a within-subjects design where the same people are measured at different times. Studies report that negative psychological and physical symptoms increase premenstrually or menstrually. Changes are more pronounced in groups identified with symptoms. ## What it means for you Most PMS research is based on small studies of women who already believe they have symptoms. It is unclear whether their symptoms actually worsen or whether women who identify as having PMS are more aware of normal cycle changes. 315 total abstracts analyzed 20 to 80 typical number of subjects per study ## About the study Original title The modal study on premenstrual syndrome or tension: a content analysis of 315 recent abstracts along global dimensions Authors Whissell C Journal Psychological reports Year 1996 Study design Review What was tested Analysis of other studies, not applicable Read the paper [doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1996.79.3f.1360](https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1996.79.3f.1360) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/) 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, 2026 Does Kundalini Reiki help reduce PMS symptoms and improve quality of life? Randomised trial, 2026 Does calcium and vitamin D supplementation reduce PMS symptoms? Randomised trial, 2026 Does aerobic or resistance exercise reduce anxiety in women with PMS? Systematic review, 2026 Does vitamin D supplementation help PMS symptoms? Systematic review, 2026 Do mindfulness and relaxation techniques help with PMS symptoms? Cohort study, 2025 Do women with PMS or PMDD report lower quality of life than women without these conditions? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗