Evaluation of a four-session cognitive-behavioural intervention for menopausal hot flushes

This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a four-session cognitive-behavioural treatment (CBT) for hot flushes-a symptom commonly experienced by menopausal women for whom hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been the main treatment option. A patient preference design was used to compare CBT (N = 24), HRT (N = 12) and no-treatment (NT) (N = 16) groups, with a randomized comparison of CBT participants into treatment vs. waiting (followed by treatment) conditions. A monitoring control condition was also included. Hot flush measures did not change after monitoring, or after the wait condition, nor for the NT group. CBT and HRT significantly reduced hot flush frequency, but CBT also significantly reduced anxiety and hot flush problem ratings. Changes were maintained at three-month follow-up. The development of psychological treatments appears feasible and warranted in view of treatment effects and patient preferences.