The effect of mindfulness practice for coping with primary dysmenorrhea on pain, anxiety and quality of life in university students: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction Primary dysmenorrhea is an important health problem that affects women of reproductive age. This study aims to determine the effects of mindfulness used for coping with primary dysmenorrhea on pain, anxiety, and quality of life. Methods The study used a randomized controlled trial model and included 185 students, with 94 in the mindfulness group and 91 in the control group. Data were collected through the Personal Information Form, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI TX-I, II), the Mindfulness Scale (MS) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Form (WHOQOL-BREF). Data analysis was performed using independent samples t-test and covariance (ANCOVA) test. The mindfulness group participated in an 8-week mindfulness training program conducted by researchers (once a week, each session lasting 120 minutes) and continued the practice independently for the next three cycles. Results Compared with the control group, the mindfulness group showed lower VAS (mean difference = -1.41, 95 % CI: -2.07 to -0.75), lower STAI-TX I (mean difference = -8.86, 95 % CI: -11.97 to -5.73), and higher MS (difference = 9.33, 95 % CI: 2.86 to 12.19) scores and physical, psychological, environmental sub-scales of the WHOQOL-BREF (mean differences ranging from 1.37 to 3.67, 95 % CI: 0.28-5.51). In the mindfulness group, VAS, Trait Anxiety Inventory, decreased in the second and third measurement compared to the baseline measurement, while the mean MS and WHOQOL-BREF psychological and environmental domain sub-scale scores increased (p<0.05). In addition, it was determined that the mean STAI-TX I score decreased and WHOQOL-BREF physical domain sub-dimension score increased in the third measurement compared to the pre-test (p < .05). No intervention-related adverse events were reported. Conclusion These results suggest that mindfulness is an effective method in reducing pain, anxiety and improving quality of life among university students with primary dysmenorrhea.