title: Psychosocial interventions in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: a systematic review of randomised and non-randomised trials and non-controlled studies.
abstract: Women's care during perimenopause and postmenopause is taking new paths to help women cope with both somatic manifestations and changes related to psychological and social factors. An updated, systematic review was conducted on non-pharmacological psychosocial interventions with regard to peri- and postmenopause. Several databases complemented with reference lists and reviews were used to perform a literature search of any relevant article. Studies were selected if they included psychoeducational programmes, health education and promotion and cognitive-behavioural techniques applied to peri- or postmenopausal women, independently of study design, main outcomes and intervention comparators. A total of 33 reports and 3 relevant reviews published between 1987 and 2013 were included. Psychosocial options are promising intervention options for self-management and self-care, as they provide multiple benefits with no side effects. Moreover, these options are recommended for women in clinical, subclinical and asymptomatic groups, as they offer women the agency and skills necessary to manage and relieve menopausal symptoms, as well as provide information and alternatives to prevent menopausal symptoms and to have a more positive experience during these life stages. These options do more than reduce distress and complaints, as they allow women in any condition to enjoy enhanced health, well-being and quality of life. Moreover, these options are accompanied by important cost reductions in pharmaceutical investment and healthcare. Nevertheless, several issues remain controversial or have scarcely been investigated, and additional high-quality research should address these issues properly in the future. Despite these limitations and the weaknesses of the review, the findings of this review are interesting and positive. Thus, we encourage women-focused institutions and policies (e.g., healthcare centres, public organisations and women's associations) to offer psychosocial interventions to peri- and postmenopausal women within a comprehensive healthcare paradigm.
authors.affiliation: Psicología de la Salud y Medicina Conductual/Health Psychology & Behavioural Medicine Research Group (CTS-267), Facultad de Psicología, University of Granada, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, 18071 Granada, Spain; Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación, University of Huelva, Campus Universitario del Carmen, 21007 Huelva, Spain.
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vélez Toral
authors.affiliation: Psicología de la Salud y Medicina Conductual/Health Psychology & Behavioural Medicine Research Group (CTS-267), Facultad de Psicología, University of Granada, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, 18071 Granada, Spain; Departamento de Personalidad, Evaluación y Tratamiento Psicológico, Facultad de Psicología, University of Granada, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, 18071 Granada, Spain. Electronic address: deborag@ugr.es.
authors.forename: Débora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Godoy-Izquierdo
authors.affiliation: Psicología de la Salud y Medicina Conductual/Health Psychology & Behavioural Medicine Research Group (CTS-267), Facultad de Psicología, University of Granada, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, 18071 Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Padial García
authors.affiliation: Psicología de la Salud y Medicina Conductual/Health Psychology & Behavioural Medicine Research Group (CTS-267), Facultad de Psicología, University of Granada, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, 18071 Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lara Moreno
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Facultad de Medicina, University of Granada, Avd. Madrid, 18071 Granada, Spain. Electronic address: nicomendoza@telefonica.net.
authors.forename: Nicolás
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mendoza Ladrón de Guevara
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Facultad de Medicina, University of Granada, Avd. Madrid, 18071 Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salamanca Ballesteros
authors.affiliation: Centro Andaluz de Medicina del Deporte, Consejería de Cultura y Deporte, Hospital Universitario San Juan de Dios, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Teresa Galván
authors.affiliation: Psicología de la Salud y Medicina Conductual/Health Psychology & Behavioural Medicine Research Group (CTS-267), Facultad de Psicología, University of Granada, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, 18071 Granada, Spain; Departamento de Personalidad, Evaluación y Tratamiento Psicológico, Facultad de Psicología, University of Granada, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, 18071 Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Godoy García
mesh_terms: D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000523:psychology*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
keywords: Cognitive-behavioural therapy; Health education; Health promotion; Menopausal symptoms; Non-hormonal interventions; Psychoeducation