The Effect of Compassionate Living Education on Symptom Management and Quality of Life in Menopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Study

Menopause is a natural stage in a woman's life characterized by the permanent cessation of ovarian function and is frequently accompanied by vasomotor, psychological, urogenital, and sleep-related symptoms that can substantially impair quality of life. Although pharmacological treatments are available, many women seek non-pharmacological interventions to manage menopausal symptoms and improve their overall well-being. Mindfulness- and compassion-based interventions have shown promising effects on psychological health, stress reduction, and quality of life in different populations; however, evidence regarding the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living (MBCL) for women experiencing menopause remains limited.

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a Compassionate Living Education Program based on the principles of Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living in improving symptom management and quality of life among menopausal women. The study will be conducted with menopausal women recruited from primary healthcare settings in Kars, Türkiye. Participants who meet the eligibility criteria will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group.

Participants in the intervention group will receive an eight-session online Compassionate Living Education Program delivered by a certified instructor. The program includes mindfulness practices, self-compassion exercises, breathing and relaxation techniques, compassionate imagery, loving-kindness meditation, and home practice assignments designed to strengthen emotional regulation, self-kindness, and adaptive coping skills. The control group will receive routine care only.

Primary outcomes will include menopausal symptom severity and menopause-specific quality of life. Secondary outcomes will include self-compassion, mindfulness, anxiety, depression, and stress. Data will be collected using validated self-report questionnaires before and after the intervention and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.

The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of Compassionate Living Education as an accessible, low-cost, non-pharmacological intervention for improving symptom management and enhancing the quality of life of menopausal women. The results may contribute to the development of evidence-based nursing and women's health interventions in primary healthcare settings.