Nurse-Led, Digitally Supported Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Early Postmenopausal Women: protocol for a Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Early postmenopause is characterized by persistent menopausal symptoms that may impair quality of life. Globally, early postmenopausal care is constrained by sociocultural barriers and limited availability of nurse‐led, nonpharmacological services. Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), aligned with holistic nursing philosophy, lacks evidence in culturally adapted, nurse‐led, digitally supported formats for early postmenopausal women. PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a nurse‐led digitally supported MBSR program for early postmenopausal women on quality of life and holistic health indicators. METHODS: A total of 128 early postmenopausal women from both rural and urban areas will be recruited for this community‐based randomized waitlist‐controlled trial. After screening and informed consent, participants will be randomized to an eight‐week nurse‐led MBSR intervention or a waitlist control group receiving routine care. The digitally delivered intervention includes mindfulness meditation, mindful breathing, gentle yoga, attention‐based practices, and supervised daily practice. Menopause‐related quality of life measured by the Menopause‐Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire is the primary outcome; secondary outcomes include mindfulness, sexual function, and program acceptability. Assessments will occur at baseline and post‐intervention, with weekly MENQOL tracking. CONCLUSIONS: This study is expected to provide evidence supporting feasible, holistic, nurse‐led, nonpharmacological care for early postmenopausal women in the community settings.