The Effect of Mindfulness Stress Reduction Program Applied to Postmenopausal Women on Insomnia and Quality of Life

Menopause is a medical term defined as the absence of menstrual bleeding lasting more than one year in women in a certain period of life. Menopause is the longest life stage in a woman's life, in which psychological and social changes are experienced as well as physical changes and some health problems occur. The symptoms of menopause develop due to varying degrees of somatic and psychological changes that occur as a result of the gradual loss of function of the ovaries. One of the most common and disturbing symptoms of menopause is sleep problems.

Sleep is accepted as one of the basic physiological needs of humans, which covers 1/3 of human life and ensures the continuity of health. In addition to productivity and efficiency, sleep positively affects cognitive functions such as memory and concentration and contributes to physical and psychological restoration. Because of these positive effects, sleep is seen as an important health variable that affects an individual's quality of life and well-being.

The need for sleep is included among the basic care problems by nursing theorists, and sleep-related problems are included as a nursing diagnosis in the nursing literature. "Discomfort in sleep pattern", which is defined as a condition that causes discomfort in the quality and quantity of the resting pattern or affects the lifestyle, is an important nursing diagnosis that also affects the quality of life and is among the nursing diagnoses determined by NANDA (North American Nursing Diagnosis Association).

In order to cope with the problems participan experience in the menopausal period, women seek various pharmacological and non-pharmacological ways. When the studies conducted in recent years are examined, it has been determined that the commonly used complementary alternative therapies reduce the complaints experienced in menopause. One of the complementary alternative therapies is mindfulness. In the literature, it has been stated that mindfulness stress reduction program reduces menopausal symptoms.

Nurses should have knowledge about menopause and coping methods in the field. Counseling the individual and the family is among the responsibilities of the nurse. Although the number of studies examining the effect of mindfulness stress reduction program and acupuncture on insomnia, which is one of the menopausal complaints, is very few in the literature. It is thought that this study, which was designed to examine the effect of mindfulness stress reduction program on insomnia and quality of life from menopausal complaints, will provide evidence and bring innovation to nursing profession practices.