Considering the Impact of Yoga on Psychological Well-being and Quality of Life in Perimenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background. The onset of menopause and the perimenopausal period is often associated with the manifestation of psychological and physical symptoms that can adversely affect a woman’s quality of life. Yoga has been identified as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for alleviating these symptoms. Materials and methods. This randomized controlled trial assessed the effects of a 12-week Hatha Yoga intervention on psychological well-being and quality of life in 100 perimenopausal women (yoga group: n=50; control group: n=50). The participants in the yoga group engaged in Hatha Yoga practices, while the control group received no intervention. The psychological outcomes, including depression, anxiety, sleep quality, stress, climacteric symptoms, and self-esteem, were measured using standardized scales before and after the intervention. Hormonal analysis and anthropometric measures were also collected. Results. The yoga group demonstrated significant improvements in all psychological parameters compared to the control group. Depression and anxiety scores reduced by 6.3 points (p=0.001, d=0.78) and 6.8 points (p<0.001, d=0.82), respectively, while perceived stress, sleep quality, climacteric symptoms, and self-esteem improved significantly (p<0.01). The study also revealed a substantial increase in quality of life in the yoga group (p<0.001, d=0.86), along with a reduction in neuroticism scores (p<0.001, d=0.79). In contrast, the control group exhibited minimal changes across all measures. Conclusions. These findings highlight yoga’s effectiveness in alleviating psychological distress and enhancing quality of life among perimenopausal women. Yoga serves as an accessible and holistic approach to managing menopausal symptoms and promoting mental well-being. It is recommended that further research should focus on investigating the potential long-term benefits and physiological mechanisms underlying these positive alterations.