Mindfulness-based program for stress reduction in infertile women: Randomized controlled trial.
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.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.