A research team from Boston IVF, a private, academically affiliated infertility center, in Waltham, MA conducted a randomized controlled study with 143 women, 40 years old or less, to determine if a mind-body program, delivered in a group, would yield higher pregnancy rates than treatment as usual.
Subjects were randomized to a ten-session mind/body program (MB) or a control condition and followed for two IVF cycles. Components of the mind/body program consisted of teaching 10 different relaxation techniques (breath
focus, body scan, meditation, mindfulness, several kinds of imagery,
progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training and hatha yoga); a variety of stress management skills, with a cognitive-behavioral focus; segments on lifestyle modification, with special focus on alcohol and caffeine consumption, exercise and limits on nicotine exposure; modules on the safety and efficacy of various integrative therapies; group support; partners attending 3 of the 10 group sessions; and 2 peer counselors supporting the group facilitator.
Logistical difficulties and eagerness to begin treatment prevented getting most subjects on board before the first IVF cycle. Only 9% of the MB participants had attended at least one-half of their sessions at cycle 1 start. Pregnancy rates for cycle 1 were 43% for all subjects.
By the start of the 2nd cycle, 76% of the MB subjects had attended at least one-half of their sessions. Pregnancy rates for cycle 2 were 52% for the experimental group, as compared to 20% for the controls.
The investigators conclude that group participation in the Mind/Body sessions was associated with increased pregnancy rates for cycle 2, prior to which most subjects had attended at least half of their sessions.
Great article, but I noticed one thing. The abstract on PubMed indicated the 143 women were 40 years old OR LESS, and not over 40 as indicated above. I only mention it because in the IVF world, 40 is the big cutoff for most IVF studies etc. and the success rates are typically statistically different between the over and under 40 groups.
... written by Belleruth,
January 18, 2012
Krista, Thank you for catching that! Very sorry. We'll change that to 40 years or less. Agreed, this is a big difference. Hmmm... I'll think twice before writing these pages in a bleary-eyed state!
... written by krista,
January 23, 2012
Glad I could help. I have a vested interest in research relating to IVF as a genetic researcher and as an IVF patient. My husband and I recently underwent our first IVF cycle and I used the GI and affirmations on the Fertility CD and I know it helped me through the process. We are happily expecting our first baby in July, so I am a FIRM believer in the power of the mind/body connection.
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