Psychological intervention for premenstrual syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
BACKGROUND
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the efficacy of psychological interventions for premenstrual syndrome.


METHODS
We systematically searched and selected studies that enrolled women with premenstrual syndrome in which investigators randomly assigned them to a psychological intervention or to a control intervention. Trials were included irrespective of their outcomes and, when possible, we conducted meta-analyses.


RESULTS
Nine randomized trials, of which 5 tested cognitive behavioural therapy, contributed data to the meta-analyses. Low quality evidence (design and implementation weaknesses of the studies, possible reporting bias) suggests that cognitive behavioural therapy significantly reduces both anxiety (effect size [ES] = -0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.15 to -0.01; number needed to treat [NNT] = 5), and depression (ES = -0.55; 95% CI = -1.05 to -0.05; NNT = 5), and also suggests a possible beneficial effect on behavioural changes (ES = -0.70; 95% CI = -1.29 to -0.10; NNT = 4) and interference of symptoms on daily living (ES = -0.78; 95% CI = -1.53 to -0.03; NNT = 4). Results provide much more limited support for monitoring as a form of therapy and suggest the ineffectiveness of education.


CONCLUSIONS
Low quality evidence from randomized trials suggests that cognitive behavioural therapy may have important beneficial effects in managing symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome.
Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont., Canada. j.busse@utoronto.ca
Jason W
JW
Busse
Victor M
VM
Montori
Catherine
C
Krasnik
Irene
I
Patelis-Siotis
Gordon H
GH
Guyatt
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic