J Menopausal Med.  2019 Dec;25(3):130-141. 10.6118/jmm.19200.

Effectiveness of a Multi-Dimensional Group Counseling Program Based on the GATHER Approach on the Quality of Life in Surgically Menopausal Women

• Moghadam F
• Mahmoodi Z
• Kabir K
• Mirabi P
• Yazdkhasti M

• KMID: 2466828
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.6118/jmm.19200

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Surgical menopause can influence women's quality of life in many aspects. This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of a multi-dimensional group counseling program based on the great clients, ask clients, tell clients, help clients, explain how to use, return for follow up (GATHER) approach, on quality of life in the surgically menopausal women.
METHODS
This randomized clinical trial was conducted using two groups. The study comprised 78 women meeting inclusion criteria who had visited 4 healthcare centers in Tehran from December 2017 to September 2018. The participants were selected through simple random sampling (39 in each group). The intervention group underwent 6 consecutive weekly group counseling sessions based on GATHER approach, whereas the control group received no interventions. Data were collected using the Menopause-specific Quality of Life questionnaire at 4 time-points (i.e., baseline, immediately after the intervention, 1 month after the intervention, and 3 months after the intervention).
RESULTS
The trend of changes at four time-points obtained on the basis of repeated measures test results showed significant betweengroup differences in vasomotor (P = 0.001), psychosocial (P = 0.025), and physical (P = 0.001) domains. Friedman test showed significant between-group differences in the mean score trend of changes at 4 time-points in sexual (P = 0.002) and overall quality of life (P = 0.004) domains.
CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of the study results, implementation of this approach with less expenditure in healthcare centers aimed at improving quality of life in surgically menopausal women is highly recommended.

Keyword

Counseling; Menopause; Quality of life

MeSH Terms

Counseling*
Delivery of Health Care
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Health Expenditures
Humans
Menopause
Quality of Life*

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Prevalence of surgical menopause in the U.S.

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  Fig. 2 Consort diagram shows the flow of participants through each stage of a randomized trial.

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