Effectiveness of Educational Intervention Based on Transtheoretical Model on Physical Activity and Menopausal Symptoms

Abstract

Introduction. Menopause is an inevitable part of women’s lives. Physical activity as nonhormonal therapy can decrease the symptoms of menopause. This study is aimed at investigating the effect of educational intervention based on the transtheoretical model (TTM) on physical activity and menopausal symptoms of female clients of the health center in Pasargad City, Iran. Methods. This quasi-experimental study was performed on 140 females admitted to health center of Pasargad City, Fars Province, Iran ( $\text{intervention}=70$ and $\text{control}=70$ ). The data collection tool consisted of demographic data, menopause rating scale, international physical activities questionnaire, and TTM questionnaire (stages of change, processes of change, decision-making balance, and self-efficacy) that were completed before and two months after intervention. For intervention group, the educational program was implemented during 5 sessions of 50–55 min. Data were analyzed by SPSS 25 and by using Chi-square test, independent $t$ -test, and paired $t$ -test. Results. After intervention, the mean scores of physical symptoms are sleep problems, muscle problems and discomfort, psychological symptoms, depression, irritability, and anxiety of intervention group decreased significantly post intervention ( $p<0.001$ ). Analysis showed that psychological symptoms, mental fatigue, somatic, and urogenital symptoms, and vaginal dryness increased 2 months after the intervention. Also, the mean score of cons, pros, decision balance, self-efficacy, consciousness raising, dramatic relief, environmental reevaluation, and self-reevaluation have significant changed in intervention group ( $p<0.05$ ). In addition, the top percent of progress can be seen in contemplation (31. 5%). Conclusion. This study showed the effectiveness of educational intervention based on TTM to reduce menopausal symptoms and promote physical activity in postmenopausal women.