Body-mind-spirit intervention for IVF Women

Abstract

Background : Literature supports the efficacy of psychosocial intervention for infertile women. An eastern bodymind-spirit group intervention has been developed to help infertile women in the Chinese population cope with the distress arising from IVF treatment. Methods : The eastern body-mind-spirit group intervention adopts a bio-psycho-social-spiritual health model, recognizing the strong association between mind, body, and spirit. Chinese philosophies and concepts of health will be integrated into the intervention, helping participants to regain balance and harmony both within themselves and between them and the environment. In this paper, a revisiting of assumptions, therapeutic goals, and the therapeutic process underlying this model are outlined. Program evaluation in terms of descriptive literary sketch done by the participants will be listed so as to illustrate the clinical process. Conclusions : It was shown and reflected that the eastern Body-Mind-Spirit approach could enhance the holistic health of IVF women. Further investigation on the program efficacy is then suggested. KEY WORDS:Body-mind-spirit; Chinese; counseling; infertility; IVF; psychosocial intervention. INTRODUCTIONChildbearing is commonly assumed to be a natural and inevitable part of being a woman (1,2). Although there is an increasing tendency among women in developed countries to delay both marriage and childbearing (3), motherhood is still closely connected with womanhood and believed to provide identity and status for women (4,5). In contemporary Chinese societies, womanhood is expressed through a diverse range of societal and familial roles. Women are expected to conform to the gender stereotyped role of 'xiang fu jiao zi' (supporting her husband and rearing sons). Rearing sons is especially important as there has been a longstanding societal preference for sons over daughters and sons will carry on a family's ancestral name when having offspring, while females do not. The Chinese word hao (good) is composed of a son and a daughter. In Chinese societies such as Hong Kong, four members in a household would be ideal for many couples. Therefore, infertility represents a barrier to gender and societal role fulfillment, and exerts a considerable impact on the women's lives.In vitro fertilization (IVF), which can help infertile couples to realize their hopes for a family, nevertheless consumes emotions, time, money, and energy-and may not result in the desired-for child. The success rates of IVF remain low, with a live birth rate per IVF cycle of around 22% (6). A number of studies have examined the psychosocial impact of IVF on both women and couples (7,8). Women undergoing IVF treatment usually experience adverse psychological symptoms, such as increased levels of anxiety (9), depression (10,11), and emotional stress (12,13). The diagnostic and treatment procedures involve physical discomfort and frequently disturb day-to-day routines and sexual functioning (14).Physical well-being and psychosocial well-being are interrelated. Body func...

The Relationship Between Spiritual Well-Being and Life Satisfaction in Females With Infertility

“…The findings of the studies by Asaroudi on nursing staff are consistent with this finding (9). According to the results of the current study, the score of the existential dimension of spiritual well-being was more significantly associated with that of the religious dimension; therefore, it can be stated that presumably, patients with chronic diseases experience stressful psychological and social changes, such as existential struggles related to the meaning and purpose and the suffer resulting from the disease, which often challenge the meaning and purpose in their lives (23).…”

A prospective study using Hatha Yoga for stress reduction among women waiting for IVF treatment

“…Certain psychological and complementary interventions have been shown to be beneficial in stress reduction among infertile patients awaiting treatment. A randomized-controlled study evaluating the efficacy of mind-body workshop in IVF patients (Chan et al, 2005) showed that the mind-body intervention was successful in improving the psychosocial and spiritual well-being of women undergoing their first IVF; however, this study was carried out in China on Chinese women and may not necessary be generalizable to western populations. Yoga has been proposed as a relaxation method to help women experiencing the challenges of infertility (Khalsa, 2003).…”

Psychosocial interventions for infertile couples: a critical review

“…Despite the emotion, time, money and energy expended, treatment may not result in the desired child (Chan et al . ). More than 60% of couples do not complete IVF treatment due to its unbearable psychological burden (Cousineau & Domar ).…”