The impact of physical activity and group discussion on happiness in postmenopausal women: A randomized trial

Abstract

Menopause is a physiological phenomenon, which in some cases may lead to physical and psychological complications. These complications degrade happiness and quality of life. The authors conducted the current study to determine the impact of physical activity (PA) and group discussion (GD) on happiness in postmenopausal women. For this clinical trial with a factorial design, 160 eligible menopausal women in the 45-55 age range were randomly assigned to four groups of PA, GD and GD+PA), and control group. The four groups completed the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. The happiness score in the PA, GD and GD+PA groups was significantly higher immediately and two months after the intervention than that of the control group. PA and GD can increase happiness in postmenopausal women who reside in Kermanshah-Iran. Using PA and GD in postmenopausal women care programs is recommended.

Acknowledgement

We are grateful to the Deputy for Research and Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, for cooperating in this research. We thank all the participants in the study. This study was drawn from a research project (No. 96198) sponsored by deputy of research and technology of KUMS. The cost of the payment is spent on the design and implementation of the study.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest about this work.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

After obtaining the approval of the Ethics Committee of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (ethics code: IR.KUMS.REC.1396.120) the study was registered at the Iranian clinical trial site (code: IRCTID: IRCT2017062114333N78) on 2017.07.03.

Additional information

Funding

We are grateful to the Deputy for Research and Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, for cooperating in this research. We thank all the participants in the study. This study was drawn from a research project (No. 96198) sponsored by deputy of research and technology of KUMS. The cost of the payment is spent on the design and implementation of the study.