The effectiveness of psychological interventions for reducing poor body image in endometriosis, PCOS and other gynaecological conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Gynaecological conditions (e.g., endometriosis, PCOS) result in bodily changes that negatively impact body image. Psychological interventions (e.g., CBT, psychoeducation) have shown promise in reviews with the general population for alleviating body image concerns. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to provide asynthesis of the impact of psychological interventions for reducing body image concerns for individuals with gynaecological conditions. Electronic databases were searched for relevant psychological intervention studies with body image outcomes. Twenty-one eligible studies were included in the systematic review (ten were included in a random-effects meta-analysis). Studies included participants (N = 1483, M = 71.85, SD = 52.79) with a range of gynaecological conditions, ages (M_age= 35.08, SD = 12.17) and cultural backgrounds. Most included studies reported at least one positive effect with the meta-analysis indicating psychological interventions were moderately superior to control conditions for reducing body image concerns (SMD -.41, 95% CI [−0.20 −0.62]). However, there was a high risk of bias and moderate heterogeneity. Results suggest psychological interventions may hold promise for reducing body image concerns among individuals gynaecological conditions in the short term. Further, preliminary support was found for the use of theory-guided psychological interventions delivered in group settings in particular, with further research needed on optimal intervention length and particular psychotherapeutic approach.

KEYWORDS:

• Gynaecology
• meta-analysis
• review
• body image
• intervention
• endometriosis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Research Training Program Scholarship by the Australian Government (MJP), completed at Macquarie University. The funders had no role in the study design, collection, analysis and interpretation of data, in the writing of the report or in the decision to submit the article for publication.