Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) effects on the worries of women with poly cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Abstract

Introduction Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the women’s most common endocrine disorders that can cause anxiety, psychological distress, and reduced quality of life. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction counseling on the worries of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Materials and methods This quasi-experimental was implemented on 60 women with polycystic ovary syndrome, referring to health centers in Kerman, Iran, from April to September 2021. In the intervention group, MBSR was conducted in eight 90-minute sessions twice a week. A researcher-made questionnaire with 34 questions (with six domains including worries related to mental complications, interpersonal problems, non-pregnancy physical complications, pregnancy complications, sexual complications, and religious issues) on the worries of women with polycystic ovary syndrome was completed by the participants in two intervention and control groups as pre-and post-test and one month later. 22 SPSS statistical software was used for analysis. Results The mean score of worries in the intervention group (48.18 ± 5.18) compared to the control group (75.73 ± 8.08) was significantly reduced in total and all six domains immediately after the intervention (P < 0.0001). One month later also, the total mean score of worries and subtitles decreased significantly (P < 0.0001) in the intervention group (38.27 ± 3.58) in comparison with the control group (76.13 ± 7.52). Conclusion Results showed that the method of reducing stress based on mindfulness had caused a significant reduction in worries in the intervention group. Therefore, this method can be used to improve the mental health of this group of patients in health centers.

The role of meditation and mindfulness in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome: a scoping review

“…Among the 14 trials, nine trials were RCTs (12 citations) ( 34 – 45 ), four were single-arm trials ( 46 – 49 ) and one was a quasi-experimental trial ( 50 ). The distribution of trials across geographical locations included six trials (9 citations) conducted in India ( 34 – 37 , 39 , 44 , 46 , 47 , 49 ), four in the USA ( 40 , 42 , 45 , 48 ), and one each in China ( 41 ), Iran ( 50 ), Greece ( 38 ) and Slovenia ( 43 ). Refer to Table 1 for a summary of available evidence.…”

“…Age ranges varied across trials, with one trial specifically involving individuals aged 15 to 18 years ( 34 – 37 ). Three trials involved both adolescent and adult participants, with one study involving individuals aged 15 to 40 years ( 38 ), another involving individuals aged 14 to 23 years ( 42 ), and a third study involving individuals aged 15 to 45 years ( 50 ). The remaining ten trials focused on participants aged 18 and above.…”

“…Two trials included unspecified forms of meditation ( 41 , 49 ). Four studies used the MBSR program ( 38 , 43 , 50 , 51 ). One trial included mindfulness-based activities, such as mindful eating ( 48 ), and another trial employed a mindfulness-based healthy lifestyle self-management program (PCOS kind mind) ( 42 ).…”