The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living Practice on Stress, Pain, and Self-Efficacy in Primary Dysmenorrhea
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Not yet recruiting
- Sponsor
- Ataturk University
- Enrollment
- 68
- Primary Endpoint
- Demographic Information Form:
Study Overview
Brief Summary
This study aims to evaluate the effects of "Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion Training" given to students with Primary Dysmenorrhea on Stress, Pain, and Self-Efficacy. The research will be conducted at Atatürk University Faculty of Health Sciences between October 2025 and October 2026. The study was conducted with individuals who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate. Data were collected using a Sociodemographic Information Form, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Self-Efficacy Scale (SES), Self-Compassion Scale Short Form (SCS-S), and Mindfulness Scale (MSS). After collecting pre-test data, students with PMS in the experimental group received 8 sessions of Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion training. The first two sessions were conducted face-to-face, and the remaining sessions were conducted online. No intervention was applied to the control group. The sample size of the study was calculated using the GPower computer program. A power analysis performed at α=0.05 yielded an effect size of 150,153 (d=0.8), achieving 90% power. Therefore, it was calculated that the sample should include at least 68 participants. This research is being conducted with 68 participants.
Detailed Description
Data was collected through face-to-face interviews by the researcher. Women meeting the inclusion criteria (women experiencing Primary Dysmenorrhea, those scoring 45 or higher on the Visual Analog Scale) were included in the study. Pre-test assessment tools were administered to the participants. The experimental group received 40 minutes of Mindfulness-Based SelfCompassion training once a week for 8 weeks. The control group received no intervention. Post-test data will be collected after the training sessions.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Supportive Care
- Masking
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 45 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- Female
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Students with regular menstrual periods (lasting 3-8 days, with a menstrual cycle range of 21-35 days),
- •Students with dysmenorrhea pain intensity of 45 mm or more according to the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
Exclusion Criteria
- •Students diagnosed with secondary dysmenorrhea (endometriosis, ovarian cyst/tumor, pelvic infectious disease, myoma, uterine polyps, uterine adhesions, infection, etc.),
- •Students using oral contraceptives,
- •Students with compromised tissue integrity in the abdominal area,
- •Students with any chronic or mental illness.
Arms & Interventions
Session I: General Objective Group Structuring, How We Evolved - Threat, Drive, and Appeasement
. Introduction,
- Structuring the group process,
- Establishing group rules and understanding their importance,
- Informing group members about the concept of self-compassion,
- Why Compassion? A general introduction to Evolution and Attachment Theory,
- Threat, drive, and appeasement
Intervention: Session 1: How We Evolved - Threat, Impulse, and Soothing Systems (Behavioral)
Session 2: Threat and Self-Compassion
* A "breath break with kindness" is practiced. • "Building a compassionate relationship with resilience" and "kindness meditation: a benevolent" practices are made. • "A hand on your heart" and "a compassionate comrade" practices are made.
Intervention: Session 2: Threat and Self-Compassion (Behavioral)
Session 3: Unraveling the Knots of Desire and Patterns Agenda
* Talk about homework. • A "breath break with kindness" is practiced.
- Establishing a compassionate relationship with desire", "guided meditation to discover the inner pattern", "courtesy meditation: a good friend" practices are made.
Intervention: Session 3: Unraveling the Knots of Desire and Patterns (Behavioral)
Session 4: Internalizing compassion
* "Pretend-to-pretend" practice is made for participants to observe themselves. • In addition to the previous practices, the practice of "internalizing compassion" is made in order to increase their expanded mindfulness.
• Courtesy meditation: a neutral person", "kindness towards your body", which is based on mindfulness practices and increases body awareness and mindful movement, is carried out. During the day, they will be informed that they should do the "walking with kindness" practice on their own
Intervention: Session 4: Internalizing compassion (Behavioral)
Session 5: Me and others - Expanding the circle
* A "compassionate letter" application is made by asking participants to think about a situation they encountered recently or some time ago and is still causing distress. It is explained that they can gain insight with this application. • "Courtesy meditation: the 'difficult' person", "compassion and breathing: yourself" and "compassionate breathing: others" practices are made
Intervention: Session 5: Me and others - Expanding the circle (Behavioral)
Session 6: Growing happiness
* "Revisiting the good" practice is carried out to define the five sense organs for the participants. • "Forgiveness", "Asking for forgiveness", "forgiving others", "gratitude" practices are carried out. • The practice is expanded as "kindness meditation: groups and all beings".
Intervention: Session 6: Growing happiness (Behavioral)
Session 7: Weaving Wisdom and Compassion into Daily Life
* Participants are made to choose a day in their life and allow a few minutes to pause in a mindful way.
• "A breather for wise and compassionate action", "calmness meditation" and "joy sharing meditation" practices are carried out.
Intervention: Session 7: Weaving Wisdom and Compassion into Daily Life (Behavioral)
Session 8: Living with the Heart
* The participants are told about the applications that they can apply for, where they need help to develop compassion towards self-healing skills, and the whole training is evaluated. • The "river of life" application, which evaluates mindfulness in depth, is carried out.
• An overall summary of the 8-session study is made and feedback is received.
Intervention: Session 8: Living with the Heart (Behavioral)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Demographic Information Form:
Time Frame: up to 1 day
This form consists of 14 questions prepared by the researcher in accordance with the relevant literature. It includes questions about students' demographic information (age, department, class, marital status, and place of residence) and characteristics of their menstrual cycle (age of menarche, duration of bleeding and pain, etc.).
Secondary Outcomes
- Visual Analog Scale (VAS):(up to 1 day)
Investigators
Safiye AĞAPINAR ŞAHİN
Associate Professor
Ataturk University