Effect of mindful breathing on anxiety, depression, and quality of life among women with endometriosis.
Mardiana Mansor, Mei-Chan Chong, Chui Ping Lei, Mukhri Hamdan, Nurul Afiedia Roslim, Rif'Atunnailah Mat Isa
Journal of reproductive and infant psychology February 5, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2026.2622923 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA quasi-experimental study found that mindful breathing exercises reduced anxiety and depression and improved quality of life in women with endometriosis. Among 108 participants, those who practiced the exercises showed a decrease in mean anxiety scores from 13.22 to 6.70 and in depression scores from 12.56 to 4.31, while quality-of-life scores improved from 70.48 to 21.28. The control group did not show comparable changes. The results suggest that mindful breathing can be a helpful addition to care for women with this condition.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 108 |
| Population | Women with endometriosis |
| Intervention | mindful breathing exercises |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression |
| Keywords | Endometriosis Mindful breathing exercises Quality of life |
| Key finding | Mindful breathing exercises significantly reduced anxiety and depression and improved quality of life in women with endometriosis. |
Abstract
Women diagnosed with endometriosis often experience heightened anxiety, depression, and a diminished quality of life (QoL). To address these issues, mindful breathing exercises have been introduced aimed at reducing anxiety and depression and enhancing overall QoL. This study aims to evaluate the levels and differences in anxiety, depression, and QoL among women with endometriosis before and after a mindful breathing exercise, between the intervention and control groups. This quasi-experimental study involved 108 women with endometriosis, selected through convenience sampling. Participants were divided into two groups: an intervention group (n = 54) and a control group (n = 54). The mean total anxiety score of the intervention group significantly decreased from 13.22 ± 2.84 at baseline to 6.70 ± 3.11 at T3 (p < 0.01). Similarly, the mean total depression score was reduced from 12.56 ± 3.95 at baseline to 4.31 ± 3.56 at T3 (p < 0.01). Additionally, the mean total QoL score improved from 70.48 ± 19.04 at baseline to 21.28 ± 14.53 at T3 (p < 0.01). These results indicate that the mindful breathing exercises led to statistically significant improvements in anxiety, depression, and QoL. This finding recommended that nursing practices in clinical, educational, and management settings adopt and implement mindful breathing exercises to better support women with endometriosis.