Non-randomised trial, 1995
Does cognitive behaviour therapy help premenstrual dysphoric symptoms?
Both cognitive behaviour therapy and a comparison treatment improved anxiety, depression, negative thoughts and physical symptoms. It's unclear how much came from the therapy itself since both groups improved similarly.
What they did
24 women received cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) focused on changing thought patterns. 9 women received information-focused therapy with relaxation training and lifestyle advice.
What they found
Both groups improved significantly in anxiety, depression, negative thoughts and physical changes. There were no clear differences between the CBT group and the comparison group.
What it means for you
CBT may help premenstrual symptoms, but the comparison group improved equally, so we can't be sure the therapy itself caused the improvement. The study suggests a woman's beliefs about her symptoms matter.
24
women receiving CBT
9
women in comparison group
About the study
- Original title
- The efficacy of cognitive behaviour therapy in treating premenstrual dysphoric changes
- Authors
- Christensen AP, Oei TP
- Journal
- Journal of affective disorders
- Year
- 1995
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- Participants
- 24
- What was tested
- Cognitive behaviour therapy (cognitive restructuring and assertion training) vs information-focused therapy
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(94)00073-i
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