The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living Practice on Primary Dysmenorrhea

The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living Practice on Stress, Pain, and Self-Efficacy in Primary Dysmenorrhea

This study aims to evaluate the effects of "Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion Training" given to students with Primary Dysmenorrhea on Stress, Pain, and Self-Efficacy. The research will be conducted at Atatürk University Faculty of Health Sciences between October 2025 and October 2026. The study was conducted with individuals who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate. Data were collected using a Sociodemographic Information Form, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Self-Efficacy Scale (SES), Self-Compassion Scale Short Form (SCS-S), and Mindfulness Scale (MSS). After collecting pre-test data, students with PMS in the experimental group received 8 sessions of Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion training. The first two sessions were conducted face-to-face, and the remaining sessions were conducted online. No intervention was applied to the control group. The sample size of the study was calculated using the GPower computer program. A power analysis performed at α=0.05 yielded an effect size of 150,153 (d=0.8), achieving 90% power. Therefore, it was calculated that the sample should include at least 68 participants. This research is being conducted with 68 participants.

Data was collected through face-to-face interviews by the researcher. Women meeting the inclusion criteria (women experiencing Primary Dysmenorrhea, those scoring 45 or higher on the Visual Analog Scale) were included in the study. Pre-test assessment tools were administered to the participants. The experimental group received 40 minutes of Mindfulness-Based SelfCompassion training once a week for 8 weeks. The control group received no intervention. Post-test data will be collected after the training sessions.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Students with regular menstrual periods (lasting 3-8 days, with a menstrual cycle range of 21-35 days),
• Students with dysmenorrhea pain intensity of 45 mm or more according to the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Students diagnosed with secondary dysmenorrhea (endometriosis, ovarian cyst/tumor, pelvic infectious disease, myoma, uterine polyps, uterine adhesions, infection, etc.),
• Students using oral contraceptives,
• Students with compromised tissue integrity in the abdominal area,
• Students with any chronic or mental illness.