The Effect of Cognitive-behavioral Group Therapy on Reducing Anxiety Levels among Perimenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
نویسندگان
1 BSc Student of Midwifery Counseling, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Center for Health Related Social and Behavioral Sciences Research, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Reproductive Health Promotion Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
4 Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
5 Associate Professor, Reproductive Health Department, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
doi
10.22038/jmrh.2024.76491.2263چکیده
Background & aim: Perimenopause is a natural transition from reproductive years into menopause that women experience it in their middle age. Although most women go through this period without experiencing psychological problems, some may experience anxiety. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT) on the level of anxiety among perimenopausal women. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 42 premenopausal women (aged 45 to 60 years). Participants were recruited from one comprehensive health service center affiliated to Shahrood University of Medical Sciences, Shahrood, Iran, using convenience sampling. Participants were randomly assigned to either the CBGT or the control group (routine care) in a block design. The intervention group received seven weekly two-hour counseling sessions, with 8 to 10 participants in each group. The data were collected using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and the Kupperman’s menopausal symptom questionnaire. Both groups completed questionnaires immediately after the intervention. To analyze data, independent t-test and paired t-test were employed. All statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 24. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the average total anxiety scores before the intervention (P=0.574). However, the total anxiety score were significantly decreased in the intervention group after the intervention, as compared with the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion: CBGT could reduce the symptoms of perimenopausal anxiety. Therefore, its use in clinical settings is recommended.
