Internet-based support for infertile patients: a randomized controlled study

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and patient acceptance of the first German-language Internetbased treatment for infertile patients. Infertile patients (N = 124) were randomly assigned to either an 8-week Internet-based cognitive-behavioral treatment, or to a waiting-list control group. Participants were assessed at treatment start, post-treatment, and at a 5-month follow-up. Outcome measures included mental health and pregnancy rate. From pre-to posttest, treated participants in contrast to controls did not show significant improvement, although between-group effect sizes were in favor of the intervention group on all mental health measures (Cohen's d ranged from 0.16 to 0.38). The intervention significantly reduced the depression level of clinically distressed and depressed participants. No effects were found regarding pregnancy rate. The treatment was assessed as positive or very positive by 80% of the participants; this finding coupled with the high demand for such support confirm that Internetbased interventions are a promising new approach for infertile patients that needs more development and testing.

Effects of depression pharmacotherapy in fertility treatment on conception, birth, and neonatal health: A systematic review

“…This accords with growing evidence that psychological intervention [45,46], and more specifically CBT [47][48][49][50], can improve the mental health of infertile women. The study authors did not compare mean depression scores between treated and untreated individuals.…”

Motivators and Motivations to Persist With Online Psychological Interventions: A Qualitative Study of Treatment Completers

“…Such issues include geographical access, time restrictions, cost of accessing services, and reluctance to seek help [16-18]. The Internet as a mode of delivery may overcome these barriers through being available where and when the client needs the intervention [1], and by promoting help seeking and disclosure through anonymity [19-21]. Additionally, some studies have found that online interventions are less affected by behavioral avoidance of session attendance [22], are more cost effective [23], and may reach people whose symptoms are more severe than the symptoms of those who present to a clinic [1].…”

Evolution of psychology and counseling in infertility

“…This resilience was reflected in low uptake of counseling that highlighted that our model of psychological care in clinics (almost exclusively counseling) was not appropriate for most people undergoing treatment. There followed a fruitful period of development and effectiveness research for counseling and other psychological interventions that could be used more broadly (e.g., Emery et al [67], Domar et al [68], Haemmerli et al [69], Tuil et al [70], Cousineau et al [71]). There were also several evidence meta-synthesis of psychological interventions (14,15,65).…”