Infertility, Stress
Conditions
Brief summary
The general hypothesis of the research is that stress decreases fertility and that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy will reduce stress and increase fertility. Secondarily, we hypothesize that stress has a detrimental effect on DNA integrity and that stress reduction will reduce DNA damage in the cell.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALCognitive Behavioral Therapy
The intervention (CBT) will focus on teaching specific skills which are adapted for women undergoing fertility related problems. Through the sessions the participants will learn relaxation techniques such as breathing, progressive relaxation, and guided imagery. Furthermore, suggestions for making healthier choices for coping and for releasing tension will be reviewed and discussed, with an emphasis on making healthy lifestyle changes with balance and perspective rather than in a punishing or depriving way. Each session will consist of: 20 minutes of stress-reduction behavioral relaxation, 40 minutes of cognitive restructuring and 30 minutes personal tailoring of the behavioral homework between each session.
Sponsors
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Soroka University Medical Center
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* women between the ages of 18-35 without children undergoing IVF treatment
Exclusion criteria
* undergoing treatment for a DSM-IV axis I psychiatric illness.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| pregnancy | two years |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| DNA damage/ γH2AX | with in IVF cycle (2 months) |
| decreased stress | two months |
Countries
Israel
Outcome results
None listed