Grand Rounds

Can Resistance Training Exercise Reduce Menopausal Hot Flushes?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

Exercise has been suggested as a treatment option for hot flushes, but evidence is limited as to effectiveness
- Previously, most research focused on aerobic and low-impact exercise vs resistance training
- Resistance training may work via activation of central β-endorphin production following activation of large muscle groups
Berin et al. (Maturitas, 2019) studied impact of resistance training on the frequency of moderate to severe postmenopausal hot flushes

Randomized, controlled trial (RCT)
Participants
- ≥4 moderate or severe hot flushes or night sweats per day
- At baseline: No regular exercise or use of therapy for hot flushes two months prior to study entry
Intervention: 15-week resistance training
- Performed 3x per week
- The program contained 8 exercises performed with 8–12 repetitions in 2 sets
  - Chest press | Leg press | Seated row | Leg curl | Latissimus dorsi pull-down | Leg extension | Crunches and back raises
- Loads were set individually from eight-repetition maximum-strength tests and increased progressively
Primary outcome
- Change in mean moderate or severe hot flushes per day from baseline to week 15
- Assessed with symptom diaries
Secondary outcomes
- Change in hot flush score
- Time spent on physical activity
Statistical analysis
- 40 participants needed to detect a 50% difference in moderate and severe HF with 80% power and an expected dropout rate of 20%
- Increased to 60% to allow for secondary outcomes analysis

58 women completed the trial: 29 in intervention group | 29 in control group
- Mean age: 55 years
- Mean number of moderate or severe hot flushes per day at baseline: 7.1 (no difference between groups)
The frequency of hot flushes decreased more in the intervention group than in the control group
- Mean difference: −2.7 (95% CI, −4.2 to −1.3)
Mean percentage change in hot flushes was significantly higher in the exercise group (P <0.001)
- Intervention group: -43.6% (95% CI, −56.0 to −31.3)
- Control group: −2.0% (95% CI, −16.4–12.4)

Postmenopausal women who completed a 15-week resistance-training program experienced fewer moderate and severe hot flushes
Resistance-training could be an effect and safe treatment option for reducing hot flushes in postmenopausal women
Results can only be generalized to an otherwise healthy postmenopausal population

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