Remote intervention using smartphone for rural women suffering from premenstrual syndrome

Abstract

Timely treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is not always available for rural women, because the local medical resources are insufficient. The efficacy of remote intervention by smartphone on PMS has not been confirmed.A retrospective analysis was performed on rural PMS patients between January 2014 and December 2015. After a propensity score matched analysis, 60 patients were enrolled and evenly divided into remote group and outpatient group. Multidisciplinary therapy including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), oral medication, and physical exercise education was used individually, in accordance with their symptoms evaluated by Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) questionnaire. Patients in remote group utilized WeChat software by smartphone for therapy guidance, while those in outpatient group attended face-to-face interview. Their DRSP scores in 5 new menstrual cycles after therapy were recorded. Then, they were followed up for 1 year.Total DRSP scores of the cases in both groups after initial intervention were less than those before therapy (P < .001), without group difference (P > .05). However, patients in remote group indicated a higher satisfactory rate than the outpatient group (P = .03). On the 1-year follow up, patients in both groups demonstrated similar DRSP scores (P = .07), but the satisfactory rate in remote group was encouragingly higher than that in the outpatient group (P = .02).The efficacy of remote intervention using smartphone on PMS is noninferior to traditional outpatient visits. Nevertheless, high-quality trials are needed.

Moving online: Implementation of virtual sessions of physical activity and movement training as a therapeutic approach to premenstrual symptoms

“…This data is in line with our main hypothesis concerning the workability of online training to improve the well-being of women, despite the fact that it is limited to physical activity. In a previous retrospective study, online training had been found to be just as effective as face-to-face [ 28 ]. However, a multidisciplinary approach was used, so no clear connections between physical activity and improving the symptoms could be shown.…”

The effect of a social network-based cognitive behavioral therapy intervention on the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms: a protocol of a randomized clinical trial study

“…First, in previous studies, the target group of healthcare providers was not taken into consideration. Previous studies have shown positive results regarding the effect of online CBT interventions for reducing functional and psychological dysfunction caused by PMS, its impact on daily life, the severity of symptoms, and the related disability in different groups including urban women [ 49 ], rural women [ 50 ], and students [ 51 , 52 ]. However, according to the research group, most studies were not theory-based and did not use behavior modification techniques.…”

A Review on Premenstural Syndrome

“…The role of genetic factors in the predisposition to PMS has been an active and interesting area for many researchers yet definitive conclusions have not emerged. Some studies suggest a possible association with estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) gene (13)(14)(15). In one report, cells from women with and without PMS appeared to show different response patterns to the components of the ESC/E (Z) complex containing the ESR1 gene.…”