Document Type : Original Research Article
Authors
1
MSc Student in Midwifery, Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2
a) Assistant Professor, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran b) Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3
Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
4
Associate Professor, Psychiatric and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
5
Assistant Professor, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
Background & aim: In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a significant stressor for individuals facing infertility, potentially affecting treatment success. This randomized clinical trial investigates the effects of counseling utilizing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on stress perception in women undergoing IVF for primary infertility.
Methods: Sixty-three Iranian women with primary infertility undergoing IVF treatment between 1400 and 1401 were recruited through available sampling. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention or the control group. The intervention group received 6 sessions of individual ACT counseling, each lasting 45–60 minutes, with sessions held every six days. Both groups received standard medical care. The Newton's Infertility Stress Questionnaire was administered before treatment, two weeks post-counseling (on egg collection day), and two weeks after embryo transfer (on pregnancy test day). Data were analyzed using SPSS software, including independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney tests, and repeated analysis of variance (p<0.05).
Results: Prior to intervention, the two groups were comparable in demographic characteristics and infertility stress. The intervention group experienced a statistically significant decrease in perceived stress on both egg collection and pregnancy test days, while the control group exhibited an increase (p=0.001). The respective stress values were (-16.3±25.1 and 7.4±24.3) and (-15.5±0.24 and 7.3±24.3).
Conclusion: This study recommends individual ACT counseling as an effective intervention for reducing stress in women facing primary infertility during IVF treatment.
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