Hypnosis versus Diazepam for Embryo Transfer: A Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

Levitas et al. (2006) showed in a cohort study that hypnosis during embryo transfer (ET) increased pregnancy ratio by 76%. In order to evaluate hypnosis during ET in a general population, the authors performed a randomized prospective controlled study comparing diazepam (usual premedication) administered before ET plus muscle relaxation versus hypnosis plus placebo in 94 patients. Additionally, the authors studied anxiety pre and post ET. Anxiety scores were not different in the two groups before and after ET. No difference in pregnancy and birth ratio was found in the two groups. Hypnosis during ET is as effective as diazepam in terms of pregnancy ratio and anxiolytic effects, but with fewer side effects and should be routinely available.

Efficacy of psychosocial interventions for psychological and pregnancy outcomes in infertile women and men: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“… 89 Relatively few studies were UCTs (k=8). 62–64 73 77 81 82 84 The reporting of the participants’ medical treatment status was inconsistent. Five studies did not provide information on treatment status (whether or not in current ART treatment), 3 reported that some, but not how many, of the participants were in treatment, and 31 reported that their participants were currently in ART treatment, although not what kind of treatment, for example, IUI, IVF/ICSI or treatment cycle.…”

The effects of psychosocial interventions on the mental health, pregnancy rates, and marital function of infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization: a systematic review

“…Other components such as health behavior modification was also adopted in one intervention study [29]. Other psychotherapies, such as hypnosis [36] and harp therapy [40], were used to improve the psychological status and clinical outcomes of IVF patients.…”

“…Apart from the above four studies, the effects on anxiety within the intervention group have been described in two studies in which CBT (d = 0.95) and counseling (d = 0.34) were adopted [25,33]. Another study revealed that there was no significant difference between the effects of hypnosis and diazepam on anxiety levels in women undergoing embryo transfer [36]. The remaining eight studies showed no effects on the anxiety levels of patients undergoing IVF treatment [26, 30-32, 35, 37, 38, 41].…”

Psychological and educational interventions for subfertile men and women

“…Eight studies used attentional control groups. Anxiety and depression data were presented in four of these and are included in the forest plots (Catoire 2013;Koszycki 2012;Mori 2008;Takefman 1990). Using an attentional control group is a way to minimise performance bias in psychological interventions in which participants cannot be blinded to the intervention they receive.…”

“…One study reported live birth rate within 12 months a er fertilisation (Domar 2000). One study reported live birth rate within 10 months a er embryo transfer (Catoire 2013). Two studies reported ongoing pregnancy rates.…”