Does Hypnofertility-Based Nursing Care Affect Cortisol Levels, Fertility Preparedness, and Pregnancy Outcomes in Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization? A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

This study used Hypnofertility-based interventions to determine whether these interventions would lead to increased fertility preparedness and pregnancy outcomes and decreased cortisol levels in women undergoing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment. This randomized, controlled, prospective study was conducted from November 2017 through March 2019 in 61 Turkish women with unexplained infertility (intervention group: 30, control group: 31). Hypnofertility-based nursing care included affirmations, visualization, imagination, and relaxation from the first day of treatment until the day of the pregnancy test. The Fertility Preparedness Scale, a saliva sample for cortisol level, and the pregnancy test results were used for data collection. Hypnofertility-based nursing care decreased the cortisol levels of women in the intervention group compared to that in the control group ( p = 0.00). Though fertility preparedness was higher in the intervention group, the difference was not statistically significant ( p = 0.13). Although interventions relieved the women during the treatment process, there was no anticipated effect on pregnancy outcomes ( p = 0.75). Hypnofertility-based nursing care significantly reduce the cortisol levels, suggesting that the intervention helped women relax.

Effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for infertile women: A systematic review and meta-analysis with a focus on a method-critical evaluation

“… The studies represent seven countries from three continents. The majority of them were performed in Asia: China n = 1 [ 45 ], Iran n = 2 [ 49 , 50 ], Israel n = 1 [ 27 ], Turkey n = 3 [ 44 , 51 , 52 ]. Two studies were performed in North America: USA n = 2 [ 46 , 47 ] and one in Europe: Denmark n = 1 [ 48 ].…”

“…Czamanski-Cohen et al [ 27 ] and Fata and Tokat [ 52 ] used a study [ 61 ] as a basis for calculating the power analysis, which investigate whether hypnosis during embryo transfer (ET) contributes to successful IVF/ET outcome. In this case-control study from Levitas et al [ 61 ], the methodological challenge was to establish an optimal match between the hypnosis and control cases.…”

“…The duration of a session was a minimum of 20 minutes [ 52 ] and up to 120 minutes plus homework [ 49 ]. The question of what minimum or maximum duration should be required for the intervention cannot be answered unambiguously because of the different durations.…”

La atención de enfermería en el embarazo de alto riesgo

“…Los cuidados de enfermería basados en la hipnofertilidad incluyeron afirmaciones, visualización, imaginación y relajación desde el primer día de tratamiento hasta el día de la prueba de embarazo. La atención de enfermería basada en la hipnofertilidad redujo significativamente los niveles de cortisol, lo que sugiere que la intervención ayudó a las mujeres a relajarse (Fata & Tokat, 2021).…”

Effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation and laughter therapy on mental health and treatment outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: A randomized controlled trial

“…For this reason, the results of various studies based on nonpharmacological applications were examined. Among these studies, the effect sizes varied between 0.48 and 0.75 (de Barros Fleury et al, 2021;Fata & Tokat, 2021;Guven et al, 2020;Murphy et al, 2014). A meta-analysis examining the effect of laughter therapy in various patient groups also determined the effect size as 1.14 (Demir Doğan, 2020).…”