Effect of Mandala Practice on Menopausal Symptoms and Quality of Life

Effect of Mandala Practice on Menopausal Symptoms and Quality of Life

Menopause is a natural cycle of life that mostly develops due to changes in the endocrine glands of the female body during middle age, and the menstrual cycle is permanently interrupted as a result of the ovaries losing their activity. Many symptoms are observed in women during menopause, and these symptoms cause women to experience many physiological, mental, social and sexual problems in the short or long term and to deteriorate their quality of life. In reducing the menopause symptoms experienced by women, hormone replacement therapy, traditional methods, mental or physical applications; aromatherapy, hypnosis, Biofeedback and relaxation techniques are used. The aim of these applications; is to relax women, reduce menopausal symptoms and increase their quality of life. Mandala, which has been widely used in the field of therapy in the past and today, is seen as a meditation tool in art therapy and is defined as a complementary, safe and accessible activity that supports mental health. It has been determined that how the mandala method, which is used in many areas in the literature, affects the symptoms and quality of life of women in the menopausal period has not been examined. For this reason, it is thought that this study will make a significant contribution to the literature.

This study was designed as a randomized controlled experimental trial to examine the effects of mandala practice on menopausal symptoms and quality of life. The study will be conducted with 78 women (experimental = 39, control = 39) diagnosed with menopause at the Private Palmiye Hospital Gynecology and Obstetrics Outpatient Clinics. Participants will be randomly assigned to groups via random.org. Women in the experimental group will practice mandala coloring for 20-30 minutes daily for 15 days, while the control group will only be administered the scales and will be advised to practice mandala practice at the end of the study due to ethical principles. Data will be collected using a Personal Information Form, the Menopause Symptoms Assessment Scale, the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Scale, and the Mandala Practice Follow-up Form. Data will be analyzed using frequency, descriptive statistics, the Shapiro-Wilks normality test, the independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and the Pearson correlation test in SPSS 24.0. It is anticipated that the findings of the study will make a significant contribution to the literature by revealing the effect of mandala practice in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life in menopausal women.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. The study included women who met the following conditions:
2. Absence of cognitive, hearing, or speech impairments that could interfere with effective communication,
3. No physical, psychological, or visual limitations that could hinder participation in mandala coloring activities,
4. Literacy in Turkish, including the ability to read, comprehend, and write,
5. A confirmed medical diagnosis of menopause,
6. Not undergoing any form of psychotherapy or alternative treatment throughout the study period,
7. Voluntary participation with signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Participants were excluded from the study if they:
2. Provided incomplete or inaccurate responses in the data collection forms,
3. Were receiving hormone therapy to manage menopausal symptoms,
4. Had a neurological disorder that could impair concentration or communication during the mandala activity,
5. Had known allergies to paints or similar substances.