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The effect of mind-body interventions on psychological and pregnancy outcomes in infertile women: a systematic review.

Archives of women's mental health
August 1, 2020
Hélène Gaitzsch et al. (5 authors)
Journal ArticleSystematic ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mind-body interventions, including mindfulness, in reducing psychological distress and improving marital function and pregnancy outcomes in infertile women/couples.

Results Summary

Participation in mind-body interventions was associated with reduced anxiety and depression scores, though the reductions were of low to moderate amplitude. There was also a possible improvement in pregnancy rates.

Population

Infertile women/couples undergoing fertility treatments.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (10)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
mind-body interventions, including mindfulness-based interventions and yoga
decrease
mental health difficulties and psychological distress
infertile patients undergoing fertility treatments
-
may be effective in reducing
#1
mind-body interventions
decrease
psychological distress
infertile women/couple
-
effectiveness in reducing the severity of
#2
mind-body interventions
increase
marital function
infertile women/couple
-
effectiveness in improving
#3
mind-body interventions
increase
pregnancy outcomes
infertile women/couple
-
effectiveness in improving
#4
mind-body intervention
decrease
anxiety trait scores
-
-
was associated with reduced
#5
mind-body intervention
decrease
depression scores
-
-
was associated with reduced
#6
mind-body intervention
decrease
anxiety trait and depression scores
-
low or moderate amplitude
reduction was of low or moderate amplitude
#7
mind-body interventions
decrease
anxiety state
infertile women
-
effectiveness in reducing
#8
mind-body interventions
decrease
depression
infertile women
-
effectiveness in reducing
#9
mind-body interventions
increase
pregnancy rate
infertile women
-
possible improvement in
#10
Abstract

Preliminary evidence suggests that mind-body interventions, including mindfulness-based interventions and yoga, may be effective in reducing mental health difficulties and psychological distress in infertile patients undergoing fertility treatments. We systematically reviewed and synthesized current medical literature of the effectiveness of mind-body interventions in reducing the severity of psychological distress and improving marital function and pregnancy outcomes in infertile women/couple. Databases including PsychINFO, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies. Manual searches were conducted in relevant articles. We included 12 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Four studies were randomized controlled trials (RCT), 4 non-randomized controlled trial (NRCT), and 4 uncontrolled studies (UCT). Participation in a mind-body intervention was associated with reduced anxiety trait and depression scores. The reduction was of low or moderate amplitude in most studies. Our review offers evidence for the effectiveness of mind-body interventions in reducing anxiety state and depression in infertile women and a possible improvement in pregnancy rate. Further RCTs with a precise timing of intervention are needed.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdolescentAdultAnxietyDepressionFemaleHumansInfertility, FemaleMental HealthMiddle AgedMind-Body TherapiesMindfulnessPregnancyPregnancy OutcomePregnancy RateReproductive Techniques, AssistedYogaYoung Adult
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy65/10
Quality70/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations22
Citations/Year4.4
Relative Citation Ratio2.28
NIH Percentile78.3%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.26
Normalized Score0.60
Related Supplements
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