The Effect of Aerobic Exercise and Nutrition Education on Quality of Life and Early Menopause Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

Abstract: Background and Objectives: Menopause is one of the most important developmental stages of every woman that lead to various complications and changes in quality of life in menopausal women. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of aerobic exercise and nutrition education on quality of life and early menopausal symptoms. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 108 Peri –menopause and post –menopause women aged 45- 60 years in Kaleybar city were allocated into four groups of 27 subjects through randomized block quota. Group I received nutrition education and group II exercise program included walking and group III nutrition education with exercise program. The control group received no intervention. Menopause quality of life questionnaire (MENQOL) and Greene Scale Questionnaire was recorded at baseline, and 8 and 12 weeks after intervention by each group. The four groups were compared using ANCOVA test with control the baseline scores. Results: There were 3 participants in the exercise group, 2 participants in the nutrition education with exercise group and 1 participant in control group loss to follow –up. The mean of Greene total score in two groups of exercise {adjusted mean difference: -5.1 (95% confidence interval: -9.4 to -0.8)} and nutrition with exercise {-8.0 (-12.3 to -3.7)} at 8 week and in three groups of nutrition group {-4.8(-8.4 to -1.3)}, the exercise group {-8.7 (-12.3 to -5.2)} and nutrition with exercise {-13.0 (-16.9 to -9.6)} were significantly lower than the control group at 12 week. The mean of MENQOL total score in two groups of exercise {-8.3 (-15.6 to -0.9)} and nutrition with exercise {-13.8 (-21.2 to -6.4)} at 8 week and in three groups of nutrition group {-6.6 (-12.9 to -0.3)}, the exercise {-13.5 (-19.9 to -7.1)} and the nutrition with exercise group {-22.1 (-28.5 to -15.7)} were significantly lower than the control group at 12 week. And in the nutrition education with aerobic exercise group was significantly lower than the control group in both time. No side effects were reported. Conclusion: Nutrition education and moderate –intensity aerobic exercise program reduce menopause symptoms and improve the quality of life in peri-menopause and post –menopause women that finally lead to improve the health of menopausal women.