Potential effects of virtual interventions for menopause management: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Digital Health Interventions
• Women's Health

Background:

• Menopausal women represent a rapidly expanding global demographic.
• Virtual interventions offer accessible avenues for managing menopausal symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review research on virtual interventions for menopause management.
• To summarize effects on physical and psychosocial outcomes and feasibility.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines.
• Searched multiple databases (MEDLINE, PsychINFO, etc.) from inception to December 2021.
• Included RCTs and quasi-experimental studies evaluating virtual interventions for menopause.

Main Results:

• 16 articles included; virtual interventions may improve physical health (weight, pain, BP, cholesterol).
• Conflicting results for vasomotor, endocrine, sleep, and sexual function outcomes.
• Potential improvements in psychosocial aspects (knowledge, communication), but mixed findings for quality of life, decision-making, anxiety, and depression.
• Interventions demonstrated feasibility, usability, cost-effectiveness, satisfaction, and compliance.

Conclusions:

• Virtual interventions offer potential benefits for menopausal women's health but require further investigation due to mixed results.
• Future research should prioritize diverse populations, low- to middle-income settings, culturally sensitive designs, and robust RCTs.