Effectiveness of a modified version of the applied relaxation technique in treatment of perimenopausal and postmenopausal symptoms

Abstract

BackgroundAwareness of the risks associated with hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms has sparked a global decline in this treatment. Alternative treatments to relieve menopausal symptoms are therefore required. The applied relaxation (AR) technique has proven to be successful for symptom amelioration, but requires participation in 12 weekly classes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a modified relaxation version (MR) of AR for treatment of hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances.MethodsWe conducted a12-week, randomized, parallel, open-label, controlled trial in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women visiting the menopausal clinic. Participants were randomly assigned to an MR or AR group. The MR group (n=36) received a single session of (MR) training and the AR group (n=35) received conventional 12-week training. Participants were instructed to practice the techniques daily at home for 12 weeks. The main outcome was the measure on the severity scale and frequency of hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances.ResultsAll participants completed the study. Total severity scores in both groups decreased after 12 weeks, but there was no difference between the groups (P=0.93). The severity score for hot flashes in the MR group decreased more than in the AR group (P=0.02). The severity scores for night sweats and sleep disturbances decreased in both groups. The frequency of hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances were also decreased in both groups.ConclusionA shorter, modified version of the AR was equally effective or slightly better than the conventional AR for the relief of hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Recommendations for future research include confirmatory studies and trials with larger samples.

Management of Menopausal Symptoms

“…11 An RCT of 187 symptomatic menopausal women found that clinical hypnosis was associated with a 74.2% reduction in hot flushes, compared with a 17.1% reduction in women randomized to structured attention control (P < 0.001). 12 The effectiveness of acupuncture, 13 exercise, 14 yoga, 15 paced respiration, 16 relaxation training, 17 and mindfulness-based stress reduction 18 has not been established.…”

Variation in menopausal vasomotor symptoms outcomes in clinical trials: a systematic review

“…Of these, 330 were excluded; 59 included fewer than 20 women per study arm and 54 were not an RCT; 126 did not clearly state a sample size calculation; 52 did not measure vasomotor symptoms as the primary outcome; 39 were secondary analysis. Following these exclusions, 214 RCT were included…”

Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Menopausal Symptoms Management

“…[9] Relaxation techniques like paced respiration (slow deep breathing that uses the diaphragm for inhalation and exhalation) and muscle relaxation were effective for the relief of symptoms, hot flashes, night sweats and sleep disturbance. [10] Biofeedback Type of mind-body technique which involves control of some of the body's functions like heart rate, respiration, breathing and skin temperature. It relaxes muscles and eases stress.…”