Evgenia Stefanopoulou1, Myra S Hunter2. 1. Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK. 2. Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK. Electronic address: myra.hunter@kcl.ac.uk.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Group and Self-Help forms of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) are effective treatment options for women with problematic menopausal hot flushes and night sweats (HF/NS). However, some women are unable to attend face-to-face sessions. This study investigates whether Self-Help CBT for HF/NS is as effective when rolled out to women living at a distance with minimal telephone guidance. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-seven women completed a Self-Help CBT intervention (booklet and relaxation/paced breathing CD) during a 4-week period. They also received one 'guiding' telephone call from a clinical psychologist two weeks into treatment to provide support and discuss individual treatment goals. Questionnaires were collected at baseline, 6 weeks (post-treatment) and 3 months (follow-up) after the end of the intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: HF/NS problem rating. SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: HF/NS frequency, HF/NS beliefs and behaviours, sleep, anxiety and depressed mood. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in HF/NS problem-rating following the intervention which was maintained at follow-up. Moreover, women reported less frequent HF/NS along with further improvements in sleep quality, mood and HF/NS beliefs and behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Telephone-guided Self-Help interventions might provide an effective way of widening access to CBT treatment for HF/NS.
OBJECTIVES: Group and Self-Help forms of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) are effective treatment options for women with problematic menopausal hot flushes and night sweats (HF/NS). However, some women are unable to attend face-to-face sessions. This study investigates whether Self-Help CBT for HF/NS is as effective when rolled out to women living at a distance with minimal telephone guidance. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-seven women completed a Self-Help CBT intervention (booklet and relaxation/paced breathing CD) during a 4-week period. They also received one 'guiding' telephone call from a clinical psychologist two weeks into treatment to provide support and discuss individual treatment goals. Questionnaires were collected at baseline, 6 weeks (post-treatment) and 3 months (follow-up) after the end of the intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: HF/NS problem rating. SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: HF/NS frequency, HF/NS beliefs and behaviours, sleep, anxiety and depressed mood. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in HF/NS problem-rating following the intervention which was maintained at follow-up. Moreover, women reported less frequent HF/NS along with further improvements in sleep quality, mood and HF/NS beliefs and behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Telephone-guided Self-Help interventions might provide an effective way of widening access to CBT treatment for HF/NS.
Authors: Aleksandra Gentry-Maharaj; Chloe Karpinskyj; Clara Glazer; Matthew Burnell; Andy Ryan; Lindsay Fraser; Anne Lanceley; Ian Jacobs; Myra S Hunter; Usha Menon Journal: Menopause Date: 2015-04 Impact factor: 2.953