Randomised trial, 2025
Do coping skills training or acupressure better reduce premenstrual stress?
Both coping skills training and acupressure significantly reduced premenstrual stress compared to no treatment. The two treatments were equally effective, so either could be used based on preference.
What they did
A three-group randomized trial with undergraduate students with moderate or severe PMS in Iran. One group received coping skills training (60 minutes weekly for 5 weeks), another received acupressure (twice daily for 60 seconds at the spleen 6 point for 3 months), and a control group received no treatment. Premenstrual stress was measured before and 3 months after.
What they found
Both coping skills and acupressure significantly reduced premenstrual stress compared to control. Acupressure reduced stress by 20.6 points (95% CI 23.1 to 17.1, p<0.001) and coping skills by 20.5 points (95% CI 23.4 to 16.7, p<0.001). No significant difference existed between the two active treatments. Both also improved coping strategies overall.
What it means for you
Both treatments effectively reduce premenstrual stress in university students. Since they worked equally well, women can choose based on what appeals to them. The study was in one Iranian university with only 3 months follow-up, so results may not generalize and longer-term effects are unknown.
-20.6
premenstrual stress reduction with acupressure (points)
-20.5
premenstrual stress reduction with coping skills (points)
3 months
duration of follow-up
About the study
- Original title
- Comparison of the effect of teaching coping skills and acupressure on premenstrual stress: a randomized controlled trial
- Authors
- Mirghafourvand M, Abdolalipour S, Mohamadi Bolbanabad A et al.
- Journal
- Discover mental health
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Coping skills training for 5 weeks or acupressure for 3 months versus control
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00153-1
Topics
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