Systematic review, 2009
Does psychological treatment help women with premenstrual syndrome?
Cognitive behavioral therapy may reduce anxiety and depression in women with PMS, but the quality of evidence is low. For every five women treated, one additional woman may benefit.
What they did
Systematic review and meta-analysis of nine randomized controlled trials comparing psychological interventions to control for women with premenstrual syndrome. Five trials tested cognitive behavioral therapy.
What they found
Nine randomized trials contributed data. Cognitive behavioral therapy significantly reduced anxiety (effect size -0.58, number needed to treat 5) and depression (effect size -0.55, number needed to treat 5). Possible benefit for behavior changes and symptom interference with daily living. Monitoring and education were not effective.
What it means for you
CBT might help some women with PMS, especially for anxiety and depression. However, the studies had quality issues including design and implementation weaknesses and possible reporting bias, so better research is needed.
9
Number of randomized trials analyzed
5
Trials testing cognitive behavioral therapy
5
Number needed to treat for anxiety reduction
About the study
- Original title
- Psychological intervention for premenstrual syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Authors
- Busse JW, Montori VM, Krasnik C et al.
- Journal
- Psychotherapy and psychosomatics
- Year
- 2009
- Study design
- Systematic review
- What was tested
- Psychological interventions, primarily cognitive behavioral therapy
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1159/000162296
Topics
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