Evaluation of the relative efficacy of a couple cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) for Premenstrual Disorders (PMDs), in comparison to one-to-one CBT and a wait list control: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

DesignA randomised control trial (RCT) was conducted to examine the efficacy of couple-based cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for Premenstrual Disorders (PMDs), in comparison to one-to-one CBT and a wait-list control.MethodsTriangulation of quantitative and qualitative outcome measures evaluated changes pre-post intervention. Eighty three women were randomly allocated across three conditions, with 63 completing post-intervention measures, a retention rate of 76%.ResultsRepeated measures analysis of variance found a significant time by group interaction identifying that women in the two CBT conditions reported lower total premenstrual symptoms, emotional reactivity/mood, and premenstrual distress, in comparison to the wait list control. Significantly higher active behavioural coping post-intervention was found in the couple condition than in the one-to-one and wait list control groups. Qualitative analysis provided insight into the subjective experience of PMDs and participation in the intervention study. Across groups, women reported increased awareness and understanding of premenstrual change post-intervention. A larger proportion of women in the CBT conditions reported reduction in intensity and frequency of negative premenstrual emotional reactivity, increased communication and help-seeking, increased understanding and acceptance of embodied change, and the development of coping skills, post-intervention. Increased partner understanding and improved relationship post-intervention was reported by a greater proportion of participants in the CBT conditions, most markedly in the couple condition.ConclusionThese findings suggest that one-to-one and couple CBT interventions can significantly reduce women’s premenstrual symptomatology and distress, and improve premenstrual coping. Couple based CBT interventions may have a greater positive impact upon behavioural coping and perceptions of relationship context and support. This suggests that CBT should be available for women reporting moderate-severe PMDs, with couple-based CBT offering additional benefits to a one-to-one modality.

Internet-Based Cognitive-Behavioural Intervention for Women with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Furthermore, only specific techniques of cognitive-behavioural therapies were evaluated in the studies, for example positive reframing only [49] or coping skills training [50]. Since 2012, only a few studies of CBT for the treatment of PMDD have been conducted, mainly comparing CBT with other treatments (e.g., one-on-one CBT vs. couple CBT [51], or CBT vs. fluoxetine [9]). These studies confirmed CBT to be effective.…”

“I feel fat and ugly and hate myself”: Self-objectification through negative constructions of premenstrual embodiment

“…Participants were Australian women who self-identified as PMS sufferers, who were taking part in a study examining the efficacy of a couple psychological therapy for moderate to severe premenstrual distress (which we henceforth define as PMS). Details of the methodology and results of the therapy evaluation are presented elsewhere (Ussher & Perz, 2017). Eighty-three women completed pre-post intervention surveys, and 30 women were interviewed before and after the intervention.…”

“…One month post-intervention, the same questions were asked, with a focus on how the intervention has impacted in each of these areas. The interviewer was independent of program delivery, and the interviews were supplementary to the main quantitative evaluation of the therapy (Ussher & Perz, 2017).…”

Remote intervention using smartphone for rural women suffering from premenstrual syndrome

“…[ 25 ] Couple-based CBT interventions may have a greater positive impact on behavioral coping for PMS women, as compared with one-to-one modality. [ 26 ]…”