title: Effectiveness of professional--peer group treatment: symptom management for women with PMS.
abstract: The purpose of this intervention study was to determine short- and long-term effectiveness of a symptom management intervention aimed at relieving the distress associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The PMS Symptom Management Program (PMS-SMP), a package of nonpharmacological strategies involving self-monitoring, personal choice, self-regulation, and self/environmental modification, was administered within a group combining peer support and professional guidance to 91 women classified with severe PMS (early treatment groups n = 40; waiting treatment groups n = 51). Repeated behavioral measures (symptom severity and personal resources/demands) were obtained on five occasions: two menstrual cycles prior to treatment and at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after treatment. A package of symptom management strategies was effective in reducing PMS severity by 75%, premenstrual depression, and general distress by 30-54%, as well as increasing well-being and self-esteem in women experiencing severe PMS. These results compare favorably with antidepressant drug treatment studies that report a 40-52% reduction in PMS severity. The most marked improvement was found in the first 3 months after treatment; however, improvement was maintained or enhanced in the long-term follow-up. Although focused on perimenstrual symptom relief, these strategies are generally health promoting and can be applied to other women's health conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Health Care Nursing, School of Nursing, University of California-San Francisco 94143-0606, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010379:Peer Group; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support