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

Surgical menopause leads to an abrupt onset of the menopausal symptoms when it is performed without an adequate preparation. It can affect women's quality of life in many aspects. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a multi-dimensional group counseling program based on the GATHER approach, on the quality of life of the surgically menopausal women.Material and Method: This randomized clinical trial was conducted in two groups. It focused on 78 qualified women who had referred to four healthcare centers of Tehran from December 2017 to September 2018. The participants were selected by simple random sampling (39 people in each group). The intervention group received six consecutive weekly group counseling sessions with an average time of 90 minutes per session. The control group received no interventions. The data was collected using the Menopause-specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) Questionnaire at 4 time-points (i.e.baseline, after the intervention, one month, and three months after the intervention)). To analyze the collected data, SPSS 19 was employed; t- test, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney, repeated- measures and Fridman tests were used.(IRCT Code: 20180110038302N4).Result: Three mounts after intervention, the mean score of overall quality of life, vasomotor, psychosocial, and physical domains were significantly different compared to those baseline in the intervention group. There was no statistically significant differences in control group. Also, The trend of changes at 4 time-points based on the results of the repeated-measures test in between the two groups showed statistically significant in the vasomotor (P = 0.001), psychosocial (P= 0.025), physical(P= 0.001) domains. The Friedman test showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the mean score trend of changes at 4 time-points in the sexual (P= 0.002), and overall quality of life(P = 0.004) domains.Conclusion: program resulted in improvements in symptoms in the vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, and sexual domains as well as the overall quality of life of the surgically menopausal women. Using the techniques provided in group counseling sessions has enabled the individuals to make better and more effective decisions over time. Therefore, implementation of this approach in healthcare centers with a focus on improving the quality of life of surgically menopausal women, with less expenditure, is highly recommended.