Table 1 Table of characteristics
Study ID and Country | Aim | Population | Protocol | Assessment tools | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Valeh 2020 [10] Iran | Comparing the effects of eight weeks of low, moderate, and high intensity TRX training on hot flashes, mood, fat percentage and muscular endurance of postmenopausal women. | 40 postmenopausal Women with the mean age 50.4 divided into 4 equal groups: 1) control (2) low-intensity TRX training (3) moderate-intensity TRX training (4) high-intensity TRX training. | 8 weeks of Low, moderate, and high-intensity TRX training. | - Brunel questionnaire - Kupperman index questionnaire | Adaptation to regular exercise reduces the symptoms of menopause. In this study, there was no significant difference between using different intensities of training. |
Sternfeld 2013 [11] USA | Determining the efficacy of exercise training for alleviating vasomotor and other menopausal symptoms. | 248 of pre- and post-menopausal women with mean age 55.8. Intervention group n = 106, Control group n = 142 | 12 weeks of three individualized cardiovascular conditioning training sessions per week. | - Patient Health Questionnaire-8 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire - Insomnia Severity Index | Exercise training may slightly improve subjective sleep quality and symptoms of insomnia and depression. |
Moilanen 2012 [12] Finland | Assessing whether aerobic training affects menopausal symptoms in recently postmenopausal sedentary women. | 151 menopause women with the mean age 54.5 Intervention group n = 74 Control group n = 77 | The 6 months aerobic training. Four times per week, with 50 min of exercise at a time. | -Women’s Health Questionnaires’ | Aerobic training for 6 months improve sleep quality among symptomatic menopausal women. |
Mansikkamäki2021 [13] Finland | Assessing effects of exercise on sleep quality or nighttime hot flushes among menopausal women | 169 menopause women with mean age 54 Intervention n = 83 Control n = 86 | six-month unsupervised aerobic training intervention (50 min 4 times per week) | -Women’s Health Questionnaire -Mobile phone questionnaire | Aerobic training may improve sleep quality and reduce hot flushes related to sleep disturbance among midlife women. |
Asghari 2016 [14] Iran | Assessing the effect of exercise and nutrition education on quality of life and early menopausal symptoms. | 108 pre and menopausal women divided into 4 groups equally: 1.Nutrition 2. Exercise 3. Nutrition plus exercise 4. Control | The aerobic exercises were performed as walking for 12 weeks three times per week for 30–45 min. | - Menopause specific QOL (MENQOL) - Greene menopausal Scale | Nutrition education with aerobic exercise can improve quality of life. |
Dąbrowska 2016 [15] Poland | Investigating the influence of a 12-week training program on the quality of life in menopausal-aged women living in a rural area. | 80 women with mean age 51 ± 3.82 Intervention n = 40 Control n = 40 | 12 Weeks training, 3 times a week. Each session is 60-minute included warming-up, walking, stretching, strengthening exercises with an elastic band, and cooling down exercises. | -Short Form Health Survey (SF36) | The training was significantly correlated with a positive change in vitality and mental health. |
Aibar-Almazan 2019 [16] Spain | Analyzing the effects of Pilates-based exercise program has on sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and fatigue in postmenopausal women. | 107 postmenopausal women with the mean age 68.18 ± 8.35 Intervention group n = 55 Control group n = 52 | 12 weeks Pilates system training. Each Pilates training session was divided into three parts: warm-up (10 min), main Pilates training activity (35 min), and cool-down (15 min). | -Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) -The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) | Pilates exercise intervention has beneficial effects on sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. |
Kai 2016 [17] Japan | Assessing the effects of a 3 weeks stretching program on the menopausal and symptoms in middle-aged Japanese women | 40 women aged between 40 to 61 stretching group n = 20 Control group n = 20 | 3 weeks of stretching program with a daily 10 min | -Simplified Menopausal Index. -Self-Rating Depression Scale. | 10 min of stretching exercise before sleep participate in Reducing Depression symptoms in menopausal women. |
Takahashi 2019 [18] Japan | Assessing the effects of physical activity for depression biomarkers in postmenopausal women | 38 of postmenopausal women mean age of (70.2 ± 3.9) Control group n = 19 Intervention group n = 19 | The participants do daily physical activity for 8 weeks | -Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). -Quality of life scale (QOL) | Daily physical activity decrease depression in postmenopausal women. |
Hu 2017 [19] China | Assessing the effect of walking on menopausal symptoms in community-dwelling postmenopausal Chinese women. | 80 Women between the ages of 45 to 65 Control group n = 40 Intervention group n = 40 | Patients walks 3 times per week for 16 weeks. | -The 21-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) - Menopause Rating Scale - ANOVAs | Walking had a significant effect on Reducing Depression and menopause symptoms. |
Bernarda 2014 [20] France | Assessing whether walking can reduce depression incidence in inactive post-menopausal women without depression. | 121 women with the mean age 57 ± 75. Intervention group = 61 Control group = 60 | Patients perform type of walking called ACTi ‘march program, three times a week, 40 minutes per session, for six-months. | - Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) -PAQE -ANCOVA - partial eta-squared | Walking reduces incidence of depression symptoms in inactive post-menopausal women without depression. |
Noh 2020 [21] Korea | Investigating effects of 12-week SaBang-DolGi walking exercise program on the physical and mental health of menopausal women. | 40 women aged between 50 to 65. Intervention group = 21 Control group = 19 | 12-week SaBang-DolGi walking, three sessions / week, 60 min a day. | -simple mental health test II Korea. -Symptom-Checklist-90-Revision (SCL-95-R). | SaBang-DolGi walking exercise program reduces Depression and promoting the level of mental and physical health of menopausal women who face stress and depression. |
Tadayon 2016 [22] Iran | Evaluating the effects of walking with a pedometer on the sleep quality of postmenopausal Iranian women. | 112 women Intervention group = 56 Control group = 56 | Walking on pedometer each day for 12 weeks, 500 steps per week. | - PSQI | Walking with a pedometer has an efficient role to improve the quality of sleep among postmenopausal women. |
Aghamoham-madi 2020 [23] Iran | Determining the effect of footbath on sleep disturbance in postmenopausal women. | 100 women with mean age 53.42 ± 1.84 Intervention group = 50 Control group = 50 | Patients put their feet into warm water with a temperature of 41 to 42 °C, for 20 min in a plastic container with a depth of 10 cm one hour before the usual sleeping time for 6 weeks. | - PSQI -Greene scale -ANCOVA | Footbath intervention improved sleep quality in menopausal women. |
Aydin 2021 [24] Turkey | Determining the effect of reflexology on insomnia and fatigue. | 72 postmenopausal women Intervention group = 36 Control group = 36 | A 6-week, 12-session foot reflexology program; 2 sessions/week; 30 min./session;15 min. for each foot | -PSQI -Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) | Reflexology program increased sleep quality and decreased fatigue. |
Asltoghiri 2011 [25] Iran | Determining the effects of reflexology on hot flashes and sleep quality in menopausal women | 100 menopausal women ranging from 40 to 65 years. Intervention group = 53 Control group = 47 | A 21-day reflexology program, 15-min session daily vs. non-specific foot massage | -PSQI | Reflexology is an effective non-hormonal approach for treatment of sleep disorder. |
Mahdavipour 2019 [26] Iran | Determining the effects of foot reflexology on depression during menopause. | 90 menopausal women. Intervention = 45 Control groups = 45 | 15 min of 3-stage foot reflexology on each foot for a total of 30 min in evenings, twice a week for six weeks. | -Beck Depression Inventory-second edition (BDI-II) | Foot reflexology technique can be effective for reducing women’s depression during menopause |
Portella 2020 [27] Brazil | To investigate the effects of yoga on insomnia and other Menopausal symptoms. | 47 women between the ages of 40 to 55 Intervention group = 18 Control group = 15 | 45 min/day during for 8 weeks. | -Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI) -Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) -Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) -Berlin Questionnaire | Yoga contributes to improvement of Menopausal symptoms and a treatment option of insomnia during menopausal transition |
Swain 2021 [28] India | Assessing the effects of yoga on menopausal symptoms, and changes in hormonal levels among menopausal women. | 80 participants aged 40 to 50. Intervention group = 40 Control group = 40 | -Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) sessions for a 1-year, three sessions weekly for 45–60 min of each session. -Control group practice brisk walking daily during the early morning for 30–40 min. | -Menopausal quality of life assessment (MENQOL) -Hormonal level (ELISA) | 1 year of SKY could be one of the preferred non hormonal therapy for improving quality of life in menopause. |
Afonso 2011 [29] Sao Paola | Evaluating the effect of yoga practice on the physical, mental health and climacteric symptoms of postmenopausal women with a diagnosis of insomnia. | 44 postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 to 65 year divided into 3 groups: Control group = 15 Passive stretch group = 14 Yoga = 15 | The two groups have two sessions per Week, each session is one hour | -Beck Anxiety Inventory -Beck Depression Inventory -Kupperman Menopausal Index -Insomnia Severity Index -MENQOL, -Inventory of Stress Symptoms for Adults. | Yoga is effective in decreasing insomnia and improving quality of life. |
Joshi 2010 [30] India | Evaluating the effect of yoga practicing on menopausal women mental health. | 180 women Intervention group = 90 Control group = 90 | Practicing yoga one hour daily for three months. | Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) | Yoga is effective in reducing menopause symptoms. |
Xi Lu 2020 [31] China | Evaluating the effect of the information support method combined with yoga on the depression, anxiety, and sleep quality of Menopausal women. | 106 women between the age of 45 and 55. Intervention group = 52 control group = 54 | Yoga exercise for 60 min each time, three times a week for 24 weeks. | -The Kupperman Index (KMI) -Self-rating Depression Scale -Self-rating Anxiety Scale -PSQI | Support method combined with yoga exercise can decrease depression and anxiety of menopausal women, improving their sleep quality. |
Oliveira 2012 [32] Brazil | Evaluating effect of therapeutic massage on insomnia and climacteric symptoms in post-menopause. | 44 postmenopausal women. Intervention group = 15 Passive movement = 14 Control group = 15 | 4-month therapeutic massage (TM) and passive movement (PM) program. | -MENQOL -Beck Anxiety Inventory - KMI -BDI -polysomnography (PSG) - Insomnia Severity Index | Massage exhibited improved quality of life and sleep quality and a decrease in depressive symptoms. |
Darsareh 2012 [33] Iran | Determining the effect of aromatherapy and placebo massage on menopausal Symptoms. | 90 postmenopausal women Aromatherapy massage (n = 30) placebo massage (n = 30) control group (n = 30) | 30-minute aromatherapy massage or therapeutic message with odorless soft paraffin oil treatment sessions at a room temperature of 24-C to 26-C, twice a week for 4 weeks | Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) | Both massage and aromatherapy massage were effective in reducing menopausal symptoms. |
Taavoni 2013 [34] Iran | Determining the effect of aromatherapy massage on psychological symptoms during menopause | Massage with or without aromatherapy improves psychological symptoms. | |||
Esp´ı-Lopez 2020 [35] Spain | Investigating the effects of therapeutic craniofacial massage on quality of life, mental health and menopausal symptoms and body image | 50 postmenopausal women. craniofacial massage group (n = 25) control group (n = 25) | one session a week of 30-minute craniofacial massage for 3 weeks with a follow-up of one month | -MRS -Mental Health scale of the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire -Body Satisfaction and Global Self Perception questionnaire (QSCPGSe) | Craniofacial massage is effective in improving mental health and quality of life. |
Susanti 2022 [37] Indonesia | investigating the effects of yoga on menopausal symptoms and sleep quality across menopause statuses. | 208 menopausal women aged 45–60 years. Intervention group = 104 Control group = 140 | Three 75-min sessions per week for 20 weeks. Each session started with a warmup, after which the participants practiced 12 yoga postures. | -the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale -Multidimensional Scale of Perceived -Social Support Menopause Rating Scale -Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. | Yoga effectively decreased menopausal symptoms. |
Abedian 2015 [38] Iran | Evaluating the effectiveness of acupressure on sleep quality of postmenopausal women. | 120 menopausal women aged 41–65 years. Acupressure group = 37 Sham acupressure group = 36 Control group = 32 | - The participants in the acupressure group were asked to massage the effective pressure points and the participants in the sham acupressure group were asked to massage the sham pressure points as a self-care method at home. The intervention time was limited to 10 min. It was done 1 to 2 h before sleeping, each night (Except Fridays) by circular massage covering 1 cm diameter. - The control group only received the weekly control of blood pressure and speech communication about health questions. | -Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. | Acupressure can be used as a complementary treatment to relieve sleep disorders in menopausal women. |
Eman 2017 [39] Egypt | Comparing foot reflexology and aerobic exercise in decreasing depression. | 40 postmenopausal women aged 45–55 Aerobic exercise = 20 Reflexology = 20 | -Group A treated by aerobic exercise 40 min, three times/ week for four weeks -Group B was treated with foot reflexology for four weeks. | Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) | Both groups were effective in reducing depression, however aerobic exercise were more effective than reflexology. |
Lotfipur Rafsanjani 2015 [40] Iran | Determining the effect of aromatherapy massage on depression in menopausal women | 118 postmenopausal women suffering from depression (score of 14 or more on BDI) randomly divided intro: aromatherapy massage = 40 massage therapy = 38 control group = 40 | Aromatherapy massage group received a 30-min session/week for 8 weeks. Treatment included massaging with geranium oil (2%) in almond oil. Massage therapy group received a 30 min massage per week only with sweet almond oil for 8 weeks. The control group received the usual control of their general condition. | Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) | Both aromatherapy massage and massage therapy had a more positive impact on reducing depression than control group, but aromatherapy was better. |
Márcia P. Jorge 2016 [41] | Studying the psychophysiological effects of Hatha Yoga regular practice in post-menopausal women. | 117 volunteers initially included, excluding 29 dropouts, the number of participants assessed were Yoga = 40 Exercise = 29 Control = 19 | 12 weeks of yoga practice for one group and physical exercise. 75 min of supervised yoga or exercises twice a week, for 12 weeks | -Menopause rating scale -Lipp stress symptoms inventory -BDI -Brief world health organization quality of life questionnaire -State/Trait anxiety inventories -Biochemical parameters | Yoga reflects a significant effect on reducing menopause symptoms, depression, stress level, improving quality of life, and preventing cortisol increase in post-menopausal women. |