The Effect of Spiritual Intervention on Postmenopausal Depression in Women Referred to Urban Healthcare Centers in Isfahan: A Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background:Depression is not only common after menopause, but also affects postmenopausal women more than other women. Some studies show the positive effects of spiritual intervention on postmenopausal women and depressed patients. However, there is inadequate experimental data for supporting the effectiveness of such interventions.Objectives:This study investigated the effect of a spiritual intervention on postmenopausal depression in women referred to urban healthcare centers in Isfahan, Iran.Patients and Methods:A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on postmenopausal women referred to the healthcare centers of Isfahan. Sixty-four women with postmenopausal depression were assigned randomly into an experimental group (n = 32) and a control group (n = 32). The experimental group received eight sessions of spiritual intervention while the control group received two sessions of training on healthy diet for postmenopausal women. All subjects in the experimental group and the control group responded to the Beck’s depression inventory at the start of the study, at the end of the fourth week, and a month after the last educational session. In addition to descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, independent samples t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance were used to analyze the data.Results:Before the intervention, the study groups did not differ significantly in terms of mean depression scores (20.76 ± 4.61 vs. 19.58 ± 5.27, P = 0.33). However, immediately after intervention and after one month, the mean depression scores of 11.01 ± 7.85 and 11.21 ± 9.23 in the experimental group were significantly lower than the control group (19.22 ± 4.94 and 19.34 ± 4.92, respectively) (P = 0.001). In repeated measures analysis of variance, Mauchly’s test of sphericity was not significant (P = 0.672), and in the test of within-subjects effects, a significant interaction was found between the spiritual intervention and time.Conclusions:Spiritual intervention effectively could reduce the severity of postmenopausal depression. Considering the high prevalence of depression in postmenopausal women and the effectiveness, simplicity, and affordability of spiritual intervention, using such interventions in postmenopausal women is recommended.

Health Promoting Lifestyle Behaviors and Sleep Quality Among Saudi Postmenopausal Women

“…Regarding health-promoting behavior subscales, it was observed that the highest scores were in spiritual health, one of the most essential aspects of human health as it provides people with meaning and direction in life, as well as traits such as life stability, peace, and a sense of closeness to oneself, God, and others ( 30 , 31 ). The current result could interpret in form of the important rules of the Islamic religion and spiritual enhancement in Saudi Arabia.…”

Menopause symptoms in women and its relation with using complementary and alternative medicines: A survey in southeast Iran

“…They recommended further studies on the effect of vitamin C on anxiety and depression among postmenopausal women. Shafiee et al ( 28 ) indicated that spiritual interventions were effective in reducing depression and improving the psychological dimension among postmenopausal women. Their study was inconsistent with the present one regarding the psychological dimension.…”

“…According to recent studies, about 73.6% of women experiencing menopause in Turkey ( 15 ) and 70% of women with polycystic ovary syndrome ( 16 ) in Australia used CAM. Studies showed that dry and wet cuppings ( 17 ), acupuncture ( 18 ), acupressure ( 19 ), massage ( 20 ), relaxation ( 21 ) and yoga ( 22 ), aromatherapy ( 23 ), diets ( 24 ), homeopathy ( 25 ), music therapy ( 26 ), hydrotherapy ( 27 ), and prayer ( 28 ) affected the improvement of vasomotor symptoms, urogenital disorders, fatigue, and depression caused by menopause. In addition, herbal products, such as chamomile ( 29 ), Vitex agnus-castus ( 30 ), Hypericum Perforatum ( 31 ), Crocus sativus ( 32 ), Curcumin ( 33 ), Melissa Officinalis ( 34 ), Thymes ( 35 ), Wheat Germ ( 36 ), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) ( 37 ), Valerian Root ( 38 ), Ginger ( 39 ) and Flaxseed ( 40 ), and Soy Isoflavones ( 41 ) affected physical and psychological symptoms caused by menopause.…”

Long-Term Supplementation of Royal Jelly (Raydel®) Improves Zebrafish Growth, Embryo Production and Survivability, Blood Lipid Profile and Functionality of Vital Organs: A 72-Weeks’ Consumption Study

“…Also, royal jelly is substantially used in the cosmetic industry due to its inhibitory effect on sebum secretion and, consequently, its impact on acne formation, acne-induced lesions, and small wounds [ 12 ]. Several preclinical and clinical studies demonstrated royal jelly’s therapeutic role against multiple sclerosis [ 13 ], traumatic brain injury [ 14 ], and infertility [ 15 ]. Nevertheless, the culminating effect of royal jelly was noted to alleviate premenstrual syndrome and menopause in females [ 16 , 17 ] and maintain the blood lipid profile [ 18 ].…”