---
title: Do relaxation techniques help manage PMS? | Niyora
description: Two relaxation techniques may help reduce depression and improve quality of life for PMS, but only a limited number of research studies exist on this topic.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-role-of-benson-s-and-mitchell-s-relaxation-techniques-in-the-management-of-2023/
---

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- Do relaxation techniques help manage PMS?

Review, 2023

# Do relaxation techniques help manage PMS?

Two relaxation techniques may help reduce depression and improve quality of life for PMS, but only a limited number of research studies exist on this topic.

 Early or limited evidence

Not applicable (systematic review)

## What they did

Reviewed research papers on relaxation techniques for PMS, searching multiple databases for studies published up to the end of 2021.

## What they found

Laura Mitchell's physiological relaxation treatment has been shown to enhance immunological function, reduce depression, and improve overall quality of life. Benson's relaxation technique, established in 1970, provides a stress-release strategy. However, only a limited number of accessible studies on these techniques for PMS were found.

## What it means for you

Relaxation techniques may help with PMS, but there is not enough research evidence to strongly recommend one over another or to know how well they work. More high-quality studies are needed.

## About the study

Original title The Role of Benson's and Mitchell's Relaxation Techniques in the Management of Premenstrual Syndrome: An In-Depth Review Authors Raipure A, Patil S Journal Cureus Year 2023 Study design Review What was tested Relaxation techniques (Mitchell's and Benson's methods) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.7759/cureus.43822](https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.43822) Original abstract

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a menstrual disorder characterized by physical, behavioral, and emotional symptoms typically occurring during the luteal phase. These symptoms are usually mild and somatic and often subside during or just before the start of menstruation. Medical professionals employ pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments as the primary approach to managing PMS. One effective non-pharmacological method is Laura Mitchell's physiological relaxation treatment, which has been shown to enhance immunological function, reduce depression, and improve the overall quality of life. Another beneficial technique is Benson's relaxation technique, established by Herbert Benson in 1970, providing a simple yet powerful stress-release strategy. For this study, research papers were searched using various reputable databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar websites, with data collected up to the end of 2021. The publication dates of the review articles were not restricted, allowing for a comprehensive overview. However, it is important to note that only a limited number of accessible studies have been found, underscoring the need for further research. Future investigations should focus on high-quality evidence with reliable outcome measures to draw more conclusive results about which relaxation technique offers better relief for PMS.

Reproduced under CC-BY.

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)

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