Comparing the Effect of Face-to-Face with Phone Counselling Based on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Vasomotor Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract Background: Hot flash and night sweat (HF/NS) are the most common complication in menopause that affects the quality of life of women. The present study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effectiveness of the phone with face-to-face counseling based on cognitive-behavioral therapy for vasomotor symptoms of postmenopausal women.Methods: The present study was a randomized clinical trial. In this study, 40 eligible postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to one of face-to-face or phone counseling methods using the block randomization. Six counseling sessions were weekly held for each person and women requested to record their hot flashes and night sweat in a diary. Data were analyzed using chi-square, ANCOVA, and independent t-test.Results: Thirty- six women completed the study. Women in two groups showed a significant improvement in the frequency, severity, and duration of hot flashes and the frequency and severity of night sweats after the intervention (P <0.001). Weekly means of hot flashes and night sweats, decreased after the intervention in both groups (face-to-face group: HF frequency from 31.92±7.98 to 18.83±7.35, HF severity from 2.24±0.28 to 1.21±0.23, HF duration from 4.22±1.17 min to 2.79±0.91min, NS frequency from 2.34±0.31 to 1.21±0.24 and NS severity from 1.70±0.34 to 1.03±0.29 and also in phone counseling group: HF frequency from 33.32±7.77 to 19.53±7.7, HF severity from 2.23±0.24 to 1.20±0.18, HF duration from 4.29±1.23 min to 2.68±0.95min, NS frequency from 2.33±0.31 to 1.14±0.16 and NS severity from 1.59±0.34 to 1.01±0.30). There was no significant difference between groups after the intervention in terms of HF frequency, severity, and duration, as well as NS frequency, and severity (p>0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, using of face-to-face and phone counseling methods based on cognitive-behavioral therapy had a similar effect on the reducing of frequency, severity and duration of hot flashes as well as the frequency and severity of night sweats. Using phone counseling in women who have difficulty to attend the clinic is recommended.Trial registration number: IRCT20180918041065N1 Website: https://www.irct.ir/login
