Table 2.
Comparison of the outcomes between the study groups
| Outcomes | Baseline | Post-intervention | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intervention n = 46 |
Control n = 46 |
Intervention n = 42 |
Control n = 46 |
Adjusted differencea (95% CI) | P | |
| Primary outcomes | ||||||
| Total score of premenstrual syndrome severityb (0–100) | 20.1 (10.7) | 20.4 (10.3) | 10.4 (10.0) | 20.2 (10.0) | − 9.9 (− 13.3 to − 6.6) | < 0.001 |
| Quality of life and satisfaction (0–100)c | ||||||
| Peri-menstrual period | 49.3 (16.4) | 50.4 (12.8) | 64.2 (15.4) | 50.3 (10.8) | 14.1 (8.5 to 19.8) | < 0.001 |
| Late follicular period | 63.0 (14.1) | 65.5 (10.3) | 68.3 (15.4) | 67.3 (12.3) | 1.9 (− 4.4 to 8.1) | 0.975 |
| Secondary outcomes | ||||||
| Sub-scales of premenstrual syndrome symptoms | ||||||
| Depressive symptoms (0–100) | 19.1 (12.5) | 18.8 (11.6) | 8.7 (10.2) | 18.6 (10.5) | − 10.2 (− 13.0 to − 7.3) | < 0.001 |
| Physical symptoms (0–100) | 15.1 (9.4) | 20.2 (12.9) | 12.7 (9.0) | 18.6 (12.4) | − 2.1 (− 4.1 to − 0.1) | 0.041 |
| Anger/irritability (0–100) | 26.3 (15.6) | 24.2 (15.9) | 12.9 (13.1) | 23.7 (11.5) | − 12.0 (− 16.2 to − 7.9) | < 0.001 |
| Reduced productivity at work/school/or home (1–6) | 1.7 (0.7) | 1.8 (0.7) | 1.3 (0.5) | 1.9 (0.7) | − 0.6 (− 0.8 to − 0.3) | < 0.001 |
| Interfered with hobbies or social activities (1–6) | 1.7 (0.7) | 1.8 (0.8) | 1.3 (0.5) | 2.1 (0.7) | − 0.8 (− 1.0 to − 0.6) | < 0.001 |
| Interfered with relationships with others (1–6) | 1.7 (0.8) | 1.9 (0.9) | 1.3 (0.6) | 2.3 (0.7) | − 0.9 (− 1.2 to − 0.7) | < 0.001 |
| Disability severityd | ||||||
| Total (0–30) | 11.0 (6.2) | 13.1 (4.6) | 6.0 (4.7) | 13.8 (5.0) | − 6.9 (− 8.7 to − 5.2) | < 0.001 |
| In work/school work (0–10) | 2.9 (2.7) | 4.1 (2.4) | 1.6 (1.8) | 4.1 (2.5) | − 2.2 (− 3.1 to − 1.3) | < 0.001 |
| In social life (0–10) | 4.0 (2.6) | 4.4 (2.0) | 2.1 (1.8) | 4.5 (2.0) | − 2.4 (− 3.1 to − 1.7) | < 0.001 |
| In family life/home responsibilities (0–10) | 4.1 (2.6) | 4.7 (1.8) | 2.3 (1.9) | 5.1 (1.6) | − 2.7 (− 3.4 to − 2.0) | < 0.001 |
| Menstrual attitudee | ||||||
| Menstruation as a debilitating event (12–84) | 59.2 (9.2) | 58.9 (8.8) | 52.5 (9.9) | 56.9 (8.7) | − 4.7 (− 7.9 to − 1.6) | 0.003 |
| Menstruation as a bothersome event (6–42) | 24.8 (6.7) | 23.7 (6.1) | 21.8 (6.8) | 23.5 (6.6) | − 2.2 (− 4.1 to − 0.3) | 0.022 |
| Menstruation as a natural event (4–28) | 25.0 (5.2) | 25.7 (4.5) | 27.4 (4.8) | 25.4 (4.7) | 2.0 (0.8 to 3.2) | 0.002 |
| Anticipation and prediction of the onset of menstruation (4–28) | 26.9 (3.7) | 27.4 (3.6) | 25.2 (5.1) | 27.0 (3.5) | − 1.5 (− 3.1 to 0.0) | 0.059 |
| Denial of any effect of menstruation (7–49) | 19.8 (5.3) | 19.0 (4.6) | 22.3 (6.1) | 18.5 (5.7) | 3.3 (1.1 to 5.5) | 0.004 |
Intervention group received web-based counselling with a cognitive-behavioural approach for eight weeks and control group received no intervention
Values indicate number (percent) or mean (SD) unless otherwise indicated
aUnivariate General Linear Models were used to compare post-intervention scores of the groups adjusted for the baseline values using Sidak. Also, Bonferroni correction was used for the multiple comparisons of the primary outcomes
bAssessed using Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP); the higher score, the sever symptom
cAssessed using Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form (QLES-Q-SF) twice during the period, on day of 1–2 and 11–13 of menstrual cycle; the higher score, the better quality
dAssessed using Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) at day of 1–2 of menstruation period; the higher score, the sever disability
eAssessed using Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire (MAQ) at day of 1–2 of menstruation period