Effectiveness of a modified version of the applied relaxation technique in treatment of perimenopausal and postmenopausal symptoms

Figures & data

Figure 1 Patient recruitment and follow up.

Abbreviations: MR, modified version of AR; AR, applied relaxation; wks, weeks.

Table 1 Demographic characteristics of participants

Characteristics	MR group (n=36)	AR group (n=35)	Statistical test and P-value
	Mean (SD)	Mean (SD)
Age, years	49.8 (3.8)	52.5 (5.1)	0.01t
Age at perimenopause, years	45.9 (6.0)	46.9 (3.9)	0.62t
Age at postmenopause	47.4 (0.6)	48.9 (0.8)	0.18t
BMI (kg/m^2)	25.6 (3.8)	25.2 (4.2)	0.15t
Menopausal status			0.18χ^2
• Perimenopausal, n (%)	18 (25.4)	12 (16.9)
• Postmenopausal, n (%)	18 (25.4)	23 (32.4)
Severity score at baseline
Total severity	6.5 (4.5)	5.0 (2.0)	0.92t
Hot flashes	2.0 (1.0)	2.0 (1.0)	0.86t
Night sweats	2.0 (1.0)	2.0 (1.0)	0.69t
Sleep disturbances	2.0 (2.5)	2.0 (1.0)	0.82t

Notes:

t Student’s t-test

χ² Chi-square test. Maximum range of total severity score at baseline and 12 weeks in MR group =11 and 3, in AR group =10 and 3. Maximum range of hot flashes severity score at baseline and 12 weeks in MR group =4 and 2, in AR group =3 and 2. Maximum range of night sweats severity score at baseline and 12 weeks in MR group =4 and 1, and in AR group =3 and 0. Maximum range of sleep disturbance severity score at baseline and 12 weeks in MR group =4 and 1, and in AR group =4 and 1.

Abbreviations: AR, applied relaxation; BMI, body mass index; MR, modified version of AR; SD, standard deviation.

Table 2 Change in severity and frequency of hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances

Variable	MR group (n=36)		AR group (n=35)		z, P-value
	Baseline	12 weeks	Baseline	12 weeks
Total severity	6.5 (4.5)	−5.0 (3.5)	5.0 (2.0)	−5.0 (2.0)	z=−0.09, P=0.93
Severity by symptoms
Hot flashes	2.0 (1.0)	−2.0 (1.0)	2.0 (1.0)	−1.0 (2.0)	z=−2.33, P>0.02*
Night sweats	2.0 (1.0)	−2.0 (1.0)	2.0 (1.0)	−2.0 (1.0)	z=−0.67, P=0.51
Sleep disturbance	2.0 (2.5)	−2.0 (2.0)	2.0 (1.0)	−2.0 (3.0)	z=0.34, P=0.74
Frequency by symptoms
Hot flashes/day	2.0 (2.0)	−1.0 (1.0)	2.0 (2.0)	−1.0 (1.0)	z=−0.55, P=0.58
Night sweats/day	2.0 (2.0)	−2.0 (2.0)	2.0 (1.0)	−2.0 (1.0)	z=−0.60, P=0.55
Sleep disturbance/week	2.0 (3.0)	−2.0 (3.0)	2.0 (3.0)	−2.0 (3.0)	z=−0.19, P=0.85

Notes: Severity score expressed as median (interquartile range)

* Wilcoxon rank-sum test, P<0.05.

Abbreviations: AR, applied relaxation; MR, modified version of AR.