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Mindfulness-based program for stress reduction in infertile women: Randomized controlled trial.

Stress and health : journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress
February 1, 2019
Simone F Nery et al. (9 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine whether an 8-week mindfulness-based program (MBP) could reduce stress severity, depressive symptoms, and improve general well-being in infertile women.

Results Summary

The MBP significantly reduced chronic stress symptoms (from a median of six to two) and depressive symptoms while improving general well-being (p < 0.01). No significant changes were observed in hair cortisol or serum BDNF levels, and the control group showed no significant changes in any outcomes.

Population

Infertile women aged 18-50 years (median 37 years).

Effective Dosage

Not specified (8-week mindfulness-based program).

Duration

8 weeks.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
mindfulness-based program (MBP)
decrease
median number of symptoms of chronic stress recorded in the past month
infertile women
from six to two
decreased
#1
mindfulness-based program (MBP)
decrease
depressive symptoms
infertile women
-
decreased
#2
mindfulness-based program (MBP)
increase
general well-being
infertile women
-
improved
#3
mindfulness-based program (MBP)
no change
hair cortisol
infertile women
-
did not change significantly
#4
mindfulness-based program (MBP)
no change
serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
infertile women
-
did not change significantly
#5
no intervention
no change
-
infertile women
-
None of the outcomes changed significantly
#6
Abstract

Infertile women often experience chronic stress, which may have a negative impact on general well-being and may increase the burden of infertility. In this open-label, parallel, randomized controlled trial, infertile women aged 18-50 years (median 37 years) were assigned to an 8-week mindfulness-based program (MBP) or no intervention. The primary outcome was stress severity measured by the Lipp's Stress Symptoms Inventory (ISSL). Data were analyzed by modified intent-to-treat principle, which included all cases available to follow-up regardless of adherence to the intervention (62 participants from the MBP group and 37 from the control group). The median number of symptoms of chronic stress recorded in the past month decreased from six (interquartile range 2 to 9) before the MBP to two (interquartile range 1 to 4) after the intervention (p < 0.001, repeated measures analysis of variance with Time × Group interaction). Depressive symptoms also decreased after MBP, whereas general well-being improved (p < 0.01 for both outcomes). Hair cortisol and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) did not change significantly between preintervention and postintervention. None of the outcomes changed significantly in the control group. MBP was effective in reducing stress and depressive symptoms while increasing general well-being in infertile women.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdolescentAdultBrain-Derived Neurotrophic FactorBrazilDepressionFemaleHairHumansHydrocortisoneInfertility, FemaleMiddle AgedMindfulnessPsychiatric Status Rating ScalesQuality of LifeStress, PsychologicalSurveys and QuestionnairesTreatment OutcomeYoung Adult
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations30
Citations/Year5.0
Relative Citation Ratio2.65
NIH Percentile82.2%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score2.34
Normalized Score0.70
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