---
title: Can relaxation and positive self-talk reduce PMS symptoms? | Niyora
description: Yes. Both relaxation and positive self-talk reduced PMS symptoms compared to no treatment, and combining the two worked better than either alone.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-effect-of-relaxation-and-positive-self-talk-on-symptoms-of-premenstrual-2016/
---

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- Can relaxation and positive self-talk reduce PMS symptoms?

Randomised trial, 2016

# Can relaxation and positive self-talk reduce PMS symptoms?

Yes. Both relaxation and positive self-talk reduced PMS symptoms compared to no treatment, and combining the two worked better than either alone.

 Moderate study design

80 women with PMS in Hamadan, Iran

## What they did

80 women with PMS in Iran were divided into four groups. One group did positive self-talk, one did relaxation, one did both together, and one received no treatment. All treatment groups had 8 one-hour sessions. Women were followed up for 6 months after treatment ended.

## What they found

Compared to the control group, relaxation reduced PMS symptom scores to 23.2 and positive self-talk reduced them to 21.25 (both P less than 0.001). Combining relaxation and positive self-talk was more effective, reducing scores to 13.75.

## What it means for you

Psychological treatment using relaxation and positive self-talk can significantly reduce PMS symptoms. Combining the two approaches is more effective than using either alone, and the effect lasted through 6 months of follow-up. The study was done in one region of Iran, so results may differ in other settings.

80

women in study

8

sessions

13.75

combined treatment symptom score

## About the study

Original title The Effect of Relaxation and Positive Self-Talk on Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome Authors Fatemeh Kimiyaee Asadi, Ahmad Ali Jadidian, Jalil Aslani Journal Avicenna Journal of Neuro Psych Physiology Year 2016 Study design Randomised trial Participants 80 What was tested Eight one-hour sessions of positive self-talk, relaxation, or both combined Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.17795/ajnpp-40177](https://doi.org/10.17795/ajnpp-40177)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)

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