%0 Journal Article
%T Can the intensity of menopausal symptoms be modified? The pilot study of the effects of an intervention programme designed for 48-54-year-old women
%A Ewa Ambroziak
%A Eleonora Bielawska-Batorowicz
%J Przegl£¿d Menopauzalny
%D 2011
%I Termedia Publishing House
%X Objectives: Psychological interventions are effective ways to modify experience of menopause. They provideevidence-based data on menopausal transition and develop skills for symptoms¡¯ management. The designedintervention programme included information on hormonal mechanisms, symptoms and the impact of menopauseon health, and offered exercises aimed at recognition of bodily sensations and their control. A study wasconducted to evaluate its effects. Design: Cross-sectional, with two-week follow-up. Material and methods: Women aged 48-54 yrs were recruited at meetings of non-governmental organizationsand divided into 2 groups (study, n = 30 and control, n = 30). Participants filled in (time 1): demographicquestionnaire, Menopause Symptoms List (MSL), Type D Personality Questionnaire (DS-14), Menopause RepresentationQuestionnaire (MRQ). At time 2 (2 weeks after the intervention) all women filled in MSL and MRQ. Thestudy group evaluated the intervention immediately after it and 2 weeks later. Results: The study group reported a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in intensity and frequency of vasomotorand psychological symptoms, and a decrease in intensity of somatic symptoms; more positive attitudes towardsmenopause (p < 0.001) were expressed. In both groups, a significant correlation was found for frequency andintensity of all types of symptoms and DS-14 scores (p < 0.001). Positive opinions on the workshop increasedwith the time. Conclusions: The findings indicate the potential to change experiences by the designed psychological intervention.A relatively short follow-up requires cautious interpretation of the effects of the programme.
%K menopause
%K menopausal symptoms
%K psychological intervention
%U http://www.termedia.pl/Czy-mozna-modyfikowac-objawy-menopauzalne-Badania-pilotazowe-efektow-udzialu-r-nw-programie-psychoedukacyjnym-dla-kobiet-w-wieku-48-54-lat,4,16348,1,0.html