The effectiveness of short-term cognitive-behavioural therapy in women facing menopause and menopausal transition

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the impact of a short-term cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) protocol on menopausal symptoms and quality of life in women undergoing menopause.

Study Design

A short-term individual CBT protocol was developed. Peri- and post-menopausal women with symptoms were enrolled and assigned to either the experimental group (CBT) or the waitlist (CTL group) by patient’s decision.

Main Outcome Measure

Three validated questionnaires were used to assess psychological well-being before (T1) and after (T2) the intervention: the Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS), Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation - Outcome Measure (Core-OM), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life in the short version (WHOQOL-BREF).

Results

Forty-eight women were included, 24 in each group. At T1, the CBT group had worse scores than the CTL group across all questionnaires. At T2, the CBT group showed significant improvement in all measures, while the CTL group experienced significant worsening in CORE-OM and WHOQOL-BREF scores, with stable MRS scores. In the MRS, at T2 the CBT group showed significant reduction in both the psychological and somatic sub-domains (<0.001), while the CTL group’s scores remained unchanged. In the CORE-OM, the CBT group showed significant improvement in the well-being (p = .002), problems (p = .005), and functioning (p = .001) sub-domains, while the CTL group had significant declines. In the WHOQOL-BREF, the CBT group demonstrated significant improvements in all domains (p < .001), while the CTL group declined.

Conclusion

A short-term tailored individual CBT protocol is effective in managing menopausal symptoms, helping women develop the resources and coping strategies needed to adjust to this complex period.