--- title: Does mindfulness training reduce PMS symptoms and fear about childbirth? description: Yes. Women who completed mindfulness training had significantly fewer PMS symptoms, less fear about childbirth, and better psychological wellbeing than the co url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-effect-of-mindfulness-based-stress-reduction-training-on-fear-of-childbirth-2026/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does mindfulness training reduce PMS symptoms and fear about childbirth? Randomised trial, 2026 # Does mindfulness training reduce PMS symptoms and fear about childbirth? Yes. Women who completed mindfulness training had significantly fewer PMS symptoms, less fear about childbirth, and better psychological wellbeing than the control group. Strong study design 126 women experiencing PMS ## What they did 126 women with PMS were randomly assigned to either 8 online mindfulness sessions (40 minutes each, twice weekly) (63 women) or no intervention (63 women). The study ran from June 2023 to November 2025. Women completed questionnaires measuring PMS symptoms, fear of childbirth, and psychological wellbeing before and after. ## What they found The mindfulness group improved significantly on all measures compared to control: PMS symptoms reduced (p < 0.001), fear of childbirth decreased (p < 0.001), and psychological wellbeing increased (p < 0.001). The improvement in wellbeing was larger than the other two improvements. ## What it means for you Online mindfulness training may help reduce PMS symptoms and also ease anxiety about having children. The results are encouraging but limited because effects were only measured in the short term, with no long-term follow-up data. 126 Total women (63 per group) 8 Number of mindfulness sessions 40 minutes Length of each session ## About the study Original title The effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction training on fear of childbirth and psychological well-being in women experiencing premenstrual syndrome: a randomized controlled trial Authors Akbeniz A, Sabancı Baransel E Journal Archives of women's mental health Year 2026 Study design Randomised trial Participants 63 What was tested 8 online mindfulness-based stress reduction sessions (40 minutes each, twice weekly) compared to no intervention Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s00737-026-01737-8](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-026-01737-8) Original abstract Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on premenstrual symptom severity, pre-pregnancy fear of childbirth, and psychological well-being in women experiencing Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). Materials and methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted with 126 women experiencing PMS between June 2023 and November 2025 (MBSR group: n = 63; control group: n = 63). The intervention group participated in an 8-session online MBSR program, delivered twice weekly (40 min per session), while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS), the Childbirth Fear - Prior to Pregnancy Scale (CF-PPS), and the Psychological Well-being Scale (PWBS). Between-group differences were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) adjusting for baseline values, and effect sizes were reported using partial eta-squared (η²). The trial was retrospectively registered (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06942169). Results: The MBSR intervention was associated with statistically significant improvements in all outcomes compared to the control group. Adjusted analyses indicated a significant reduction in premenstrual symptom severity (p < 0.001, η²=0.117) and fear of childbirth (p < 0.001, η²=0.125), as well as a significant increase in psychological well-being (p < 0.001, η²=0.285). These findings correspond to moderate effect sizes for PMSS and CF-PPS and a relatively large effect size for PWBS. Conclusion: The findings suggest that MBSR may be an effective non-pharmacological intervention for reducing premenstrual symptoms, decreasing pre-pregnancy fear of childbirth, and improving psychological well-being in women experiencing PMS. However, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the short-term nature of the assessment and the absence of long-term follow-up data. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Mindfulness and meditation](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-mindfulness/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Systematic review, 2026 Can mindfulness, yoga or qigong help with PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2024 How do hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle affect gut health and mood? Survey study, 2023 Are stress and rumination linked to PMS, and does mindfulness help reduce symptoms? 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