Acceptability and Feasibility of the Mindfulness Based Program for Infertility (PBMI)

IntroductionInfertility is described as a low-control stressor that may induce psychopathological symptoms. The Mindfulness Based Program for Infertility (MBPI) is a structured intervention targeting infertile women that aims to cultivate mindfulness and acceptance skills. The MBPI efficacy was tested in 55 infertile women who completed the program and 37 women in a control group. By the end of the MBPI, women who attended the program revealed a significant decrease in depressive symptoms, internal and external shame, entrapment and defeat. Inversely, they showed significant improvement in mindfulness skills and self-efficacy to deal with infertility.AimsDetermine the MBPI feasibility and acceptability.MethodsThe MBPI includes 10 weekly sessions, in a group format, with the duration of about 2 hours each. Participants’ recruitment was supported by the Portuguese Fertility Association. Fifty-five female participants with an infertility diagnosis who were pursuing medical treatment for infertility completed a questionnaire specifically developed to address the acceptability and satisfaction with the MBPI at the end of the 10th session.ResultsParticipants scored as “very useful” most of the MBPI components (mindfulness practice, acceptance skills, values clarification, psychoeducation on stress and fertility-related lifestyle factors), except for the yoga component. The same pattern was found for the utility information, group support, small group exercises, contact with the therapist, progress notes and MBPI materials. The mean score for satisfaction with the therapist knowledge/competence was 9.55 (maximum: 10), the MBPI quality 8.91 and the MBPI global utility 8.95.ConclusionsThe MBPI showed to be feasible and well accepted by participants.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Anamnestic factors that shape reproductive health of women with repeated unsuccessful popygamy in vitro fertilization

HEALTH OF WOMAN ◽

10.15574/hw.2016.114.140 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 140-143

Author(s):

N.V. Cotsabin ◽

◽

O.M. Makarchuk ◽

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Risk Group ◽

Polycystic Ovary ◽

High Risk Group ◽

Stress Factors ◽

Control Group ◽

Fertilization In Vitro ◽

Infertile Women ◽

Group I

The proportion of patients with multiple unsuccessful attempts of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is about 30% of all patients treated with the use of ART. Women with history of unsuccessful ART attempts - a special category of patients who require emergency attention and a thorough examination at the stage of preparation for superovulation stimulation,the selection of embryos and endometrium preparation for embryo transfer. The objective: to distinguish high-risk group of unsuccessful attempts based on a detailed analysis of anamnestic and clinical data of infertile women with repeated unsuccessful ART attempts that requires more in-depth study of hormonal features, ovarian reserve and condition of the endometrium. Materials and methods. For better understanding of the problem of repeated unsuccessful ART attempts and сreation of efficient infertility treatment algorithms for these couples we conducted a thorough analysis of anamnestic data of three groups of infertile women (105 patients), which were distributed by age: group I – younger than 35, the II group – from 35 to 40, the III group - over 40 years. These groups of patients were compared with each other and with the control group of healthy women (30 persons). Results. Leading stress factors in the percentage three times prevailed in the group of infertile women and had a direct connection with the fact of procedure «fertilization in vitro» and chronic stressors caused by prolonged infertility. Primary infertility was observed significantly more frequent in patients younger than 35 years (p <0.05), secondary infertility - mostly in the second and third experimental groups (p <0.05). Noteworthy significant percentage of wellknown causes of infertility and idiopathic factor in all groups, and the prevalence of tubal-peritoneal factor in the second and third experimental groups, and endocrine dysfunction in the I experimental group. The most common disorder among this category of woman was polycystic ovary syndrome. Frequency of usual miscarriage among patients of I ana II groups was two times higher than in the third group (p <0.05). Among the experimental groups the leading place belongs urinary tract infection, respiratory tract diseases, pathologies of the cardiovascular system. Data of the stratified analysis show an increase likelihood of repeated unsuccessful ART attempts under the influence of constant chronic stress (odds ratio OR=2.06; 95% CI: 0.95–3.17; p<0.05). Conclusions. Among infertile patients with repeated unsuccessful ART attempts must be separated a high risk group of failures. The identity depends on the duration of infertility, female age and leading combination of factors. Key words: repeated unsuccessful ART attempts, anamnesis, infertility, high risk.

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Mindfulness Skills Deficits in Pathological Skin Picking Behaviours

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.1827 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. S496-S496

Author(s):

A. Pozza ◽

D. Dèttore

Keyword(s):

Protective Factor ◽

Community Sample ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Skin Damage ◽

Skin Picking ◽

Inner Experiences ◽

Mindfulness Skills ◽

General Distress ◽

Competing Interest ◽

The Relationship

IntroductionPathological Skin Picking (SP) is a psychiatric condition with a 2–5%-prevalence in the community and consists of repetitive picking behaviours associated to marked distress, which can cause significant skin damage. Research has evidenced a Focused SP subtype, typically occurring in response to negative emotions, an Automatic subtype, occurring without awareness during activities not related to the picking behavior, and a Mixed one. Mindfulness skills have been studied as a protective factor involved in the treatment of several psychiatric disorders. Studying Mindfulness deficits in SP might help to identify interventions tailored for specific subtypes of SP behaviours.ObjectivesThe current study examined the relationship between Mindfulness skills and pathological SP behaviours.AimsThe study aimed to investigate whether Mindfulness skills deficits uniquely predicted SP subtypes behaviours after controlling for general distress in a community sample.MethodsNinety-seven community individuals (mean age = 39.71, SD = 16.37, 59% females) completed measures of SP, Mindfulness skills and general distress (anxiety and depression).ResultsLower Mindfulness skills of Describing Internal Experiences (B = −0.12, P < 0.05) and higher anxiety (B = 0.08, P < 0.05) predicted more severe Automatic SP. Lower Mindfulness skills of Non-judging Inner Experiences (B = −0.12, P < 0.05), higher anxiety (B = −0.12, P < 0.05) and higher depression (B = −0.12, P < 0.05) predicted more severe Mixed SP. Focused SP was not associated to Mindfulness skills and general distress.ConclusionsMindfulness skills deficits could be associated to Automatic and Mixed but not Focused SP. Future studies should investigate whether Mindfulness programs are effective for individuals reporting Automatic or Mixed SP behaviours.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Prevalence of Chromosomal Abnormalities in Infertile Couples in Romania

Balkan Journal of Medical Genetics ◽

10.1515/bjmg-2015-0002 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 23-30 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Dana Mierla ◽

M. Malageanu ◽

R. Tulin ◽

D. Albu

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Study ◽

Chromosomal Abnormalities ◽

Normal Karyotype ◽

Control Group ◽

Chromosomal Anomalies ◽

Exact Test ◽

Infertile Women ◽

Infertile Men ◽

Significant Statistical Association

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to establish a correlation between the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in one of the partners and infertility. This retrospective study was performed at the Department of Reproductive Medicine, Life Memorial Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, between August 2007 to December 2011. Two thousand, one hundred and ninety-five patients with reproductive problems were investigated, and the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities was calculated. The control group consisting of 87 fertile persons who had two or more children, was investigated in this retrospective study. All the patients of this study were investigated by cytogenetic techniques and the results of the two groups were compared by a two-tailed Fisher’s exact test. In this study, 94.99% patients had a normal karyotype and 5.01% had chromosomal abnormalities (numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities). In the study group, numerical chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 1.14% of infertile men and 0.62% of infertile women, and structural chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 1.38% of infertile men and 1.87% of infertile women, respectively. The correlation between the incidence of chromosomal anomalies in the two sexes in couple with reproductive problems was not statistically significant. Recently, a possible association between infertility and chromosomal abnormalities with a significant statistical association has been reported. Our study shows that there is no association between chromosomal abnormalities and infertility, but this study needs to be confirmed with further investigations and a larger control group to establish the role of chromosomal abnormalities in the etiology of infertility.

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Efficacy of Online Group Counseling with Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Approach to Enhance Students’ Humility

Islamic Guidance and Counseling Journal ◽

10.25217/igcj.v4i1.1280 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 78-90

Author(s):

Rohmatus Naini ◽

Mungin Eddy Wibowo ◽

Mulawarman Mulawarman

Keyword(s):

Group Counseling ◽

Character Strengths ◽

Control Group ◽

Cognitive Approach ◽

Control Group Design ◽

Mindfulness Skills ◽

Significant Change ◽

Character Building ◽

Online Group

Character building is an important part of the counseling services in the schools. Humility is a character strengths as a basic development others virtue. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of online group counseling with mindfulness-based cognitive approach to enhance students' humility. This study is pretest posttest control group design with 16 students who divided in to experimental and control groups. To measure the students' humility, authors used 32 items of humility scale (α = .901). Furthermore, to measure mindfulness skills using children and adolescence mindfulness measurement (α = .790). Based on the results of the paired t-test data analysis, obtained the pretest – posttest (t = 18,391; p = .56), posttest – follow up (t = -5,769; p = .001), and pretest – follow up (t = -30.549; p = .001). There was a significant change in the humility score which marked by (p < .05). Comparison analysis between the control group (MD = 12.62; SE = .87; p = .001) was interpreted as a significant increase change in the students' humility. In addition, there is a significant interaction between students' humility in the group as evidenced by (F (2,4) = 56,764, P = .001, Ƞp2 = .73). As the result, there is a significant change in mindfulness group counseling effect on increasing humility and has a large interaction effect.

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The effectiveness of collaborative infertility counseling (CIC) on pregnancy outcome in infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization: A randomized controlled trial

10.21203/rs.2.14093/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Mahboobeh Rasoulzadeh Bidgoli ◽

robab latifnejad roudsari ◽

ali montazeri

Keyword(s):

In Vitro Fertilization ◽

Pregnancy Rate ◽

Treatment Success ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Infertile Women ◽

Significant Difference ◽

And Control

Abstract Background: Infertility is an emotional tension which influences the whole aspects of relationships in infertile couples. A main objective of infertility treatments is elevation of pregnancy rate. The present study aimed to examine the effect of collaborative counseling on pregnancy rate in infertile women, undergoing in vitro fertilization in Mashhad, Iran. Methods: In this clinical trial, 60 women with primary infertility were selected from an infertility research center and were randomly allocated into intervention (n=29) and control (n=31) groups. The intervention group received individual counseling, based on the collaborative reproductive healthcare model with collaboration of a midwife, a gynecologist and a clinical psychologist in five sessions during a two-month period. The control group received routine care. Positive pregnancy test was considered as a criterion of treatment success at the end of the study. Data were analyzed using statistical tests including independent samples t-test. Results: There was no significant difference in pregnancy rate between intervention and control groups (P = 0.298). Also, there were no significant differences in follicle and embryo numbers between two groups. However, a significant difference was observed between two groups in terms of oocyte numbers where the intervention group had more oocyte (P = 0.014). Conclusion: Overall the findings indicated that the collaborative infertility counseling did not improve treatment success in infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization

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The Effects of a Preconception Lifestyle Intervention on Childhood Cardiometabolic Health—Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells11010041 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 41

Author(s):

Stijn Mintjens ◽

Mireille N. M. van Poppel ◽

Henk Groen ◽

Annemieke Hoek ◽

Ben Willem Mol ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Lifestyle Intervention ◽

Maternal Obesity ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Cardiometabolic Health ◽

Control Group ◽

Z Score ◽

Infertile Women ◽

Z Scores

Maternal obesity is associated with adverse metabolic outcomes in her offspring, from the earliest stages of development leading to obesity and poorer cardiometabolic health in her offspring. We investigated whether an effective preconception lifestyle intervention in obese women affected cardiometabolic health of their offspring. We randomly allocated 577 infertile women with obesity to a 6-month lifestyle intervention, or to prompt infertility management. Of the 305 eligible children, despite intensive efforts, 17 in the intervention and 29 in the control group were available for follow-up at age 3–6 years. We compared the child’s Body Mass Index (BMI) Z score, waist and hip circumference, body-fat percentage, blood pressure Z scores, pulse wave velocity and serum lipids, glucose and insulin concentrations. Between the intervention and control groups, the mean (±SD) offspring BMI Z score (0.69 (±1.17) vs. 0.62 (±1.04)) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure Z scores (0.45 (±0.65) vs. 0.54 (±0.57); 0.91 (±0.66) vs. 0.96 (±0.57)) were similar, although elevated compared to the norm population. We also did not detect any differences between the groups in the other outcomes. In this study, we could not detect effects of a preconception lifestyle intervention in obese infertile women on the cardiometabolic health of their offspring. Low follow-up rates, perhaps due to the children’s age or the subject matter, combined with selection bias abating contrast in periconceptional weight between participating mothers, hampered the detection of potential effects. Future studies that account for these factors are needed to confirm whether a preconception lifestyle intervention may improve the cardiometabolic health of children of obese mothers.

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Anxiety, Stress And Depression: a Comparison Between Anorexic, Obese And Healthy Control Women

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.1541 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. S425-S426

Author(s):

G. Botteon

Keyword(s):

Bariatric Surgery ◽

Anorexia Nervosa ◽

Eating Disorder ◽

Statistical Analysis ◽

General Population ◽

Control Group ◽

Obese Women ◽

Obese People ◽

Healthy Control ◽

Competing Interest

IntroductionSeveral studies have proved that people who suffer from Anorexia Nervosa (AN) experience higher levels of anxiety, stress and depression than general population; while controversial results have been found among obese people (OB); the purpose of this study is to compare levels of anxiety, stress, and depression in AN sample, in OB sample and in Healthy Control Group (HC).MethodsAN sample: 27 anorexic inpatient women in an eating disorder unit. OB sample: 27 obese women evaluated for elegibility of bariatric surgery intervention. HC group: 27 women from different countries had been recruited. DASS 21 and STAI-Y questionnaires had been subministred to evaluate anxiety, stress and depression. The questionnaires had been scores and statistical analysis had been held to determine whether the differences founded in the 3 populations were significant or not (P-value < 0.05).ResultsTable 1. The differences founded were significant.ConclusionAnxiety and stress (DASS21, STAI): AN have reported higher levels than OB and HC that present similar levels. Depression (DASS21): AN have reported higher levels than OB and HC; OB higher levels than HC.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Mental and personality disorders in infertile women with polycystic ovary: a case-control study

African Health Sciences ◽

10.4314/ahs.v20i3.28 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 1241-1249

Author(s):

Mostafa Ahmadi ◽

Mahbobeh Faramarzi ◽

Zahra Basirat ◽

Farzan Kheirkhah ◽

Mohammad Chehrazi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Personality Disorders ◽

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Control Group ◽

Case Group ◽

Infertile Women ◽

The Mean ◽

Ovarian Syndrome ◽

Control Study

Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility in women. Objective: The current study investigated mental and personality disorders in infertile women with and without PCOS. Methods: This case-control study evaluated 400 infertile women who referred to the Infertility Center in Babol city (North of Iran). Participants were categorized into the case group (201 PCOS) and the control group (199 without PCOS). All of the participants completed the Millon Clinical Multi-axial Inventory-III (MCMI-III). Results: The mean scores for clinical personality patterns were significantly higher for six personality disorders (schiz- oid, avoidant, antisocial, depressive, sadistic, and negativistic) and for three classes of severe personality disorder patterns (schizotypal, borderline, and paranoid) in infertile women with PCOS than in women without PCOS. The mean scores for eight clinical disorders (somatoform, manic disorder, dysthymia, alcohol-dependence, drug-dependence, post-trauma stress disorder, major depression, and delusion disorder) were also higher in infertile women with PCOS than in women without PCOS. Conclusion: The scores of many mental and personality disorders are higher in infertile women with PCOS than in women without PCOS. Thus, clinicians should prioritize recognizing and treating psychological problems of infertile women with PCOS. Keywords: Polycystic ovarian syndrome; infertility; personality disorders.

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RESTING STATE NETWORK AND MINDFULNESS IN MOTION PLUS DASH DIET IN AFRICAN AMERICANS WITH MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.417 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S112-S113

Author(s):

Kathy D Wright ◽

Klatt Maryanna ◽

Ingrid Adams ◽

Cady Block ◽

Todd Monroe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Pilot Study ◽

African Americans ◽

Resting State ◽

Mindfulness Practice ◽

Control Group ◽

Breathing Exercises ◽

Resting State Network

Abstract The resting state network (RSN) is a target of interest in neurodegenerative research, with evidence linking functional connectivity of its constituent nodes with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Given the emerging linkage between Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia disorders (ADRD) and hypertension (HTN), non-pharmacological interventions that promote RSN connectivity and blood pressure are needed. The purpose of this pilot study protocol is to deliver a novel intervention, combining mindfulness and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), to improve RSN connectivity and blood pressure in African American (AA) older adults with MCI and HTN. Thirty-six AAs aged 65 and older will be randomized to mindfulness plus DASH, attention control (non-health related education), or a control group. The Mindfulness in Motion (MIM) plus DASH intervention is delivered in 8-weekly group sessions of 6-10 participants. MIM includes mindful movements from chair/standing, breathing exercises and guided meditation. The DASH intervention uses a critical thinking approach that involves problem solving, goal setting, reflection, and developing self-efficacy. Both components are culturally tailored for older African Americans. Cognitive examination, diet and mindfulness practice surveys, blood pressure, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (RSN) data are collected at baseline and 3 months. Forty-eight AAs were screened and 17 were enrolled (women= 13; men= 4) to date. Of the 17 enrolled, 7 were eligible for neuroimaging. Findings from this pilot study may provide the preliminary evidence that MIM plus DASH may improve RSN connectivity and blood pressure in this population at risk for ADRD.

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EFFECTIVENESS OF A SIMULATION-BASED EMPATHY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM WITH MINDFULNESS ON SOCIAL WORKERS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.1093 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S297-S298

Author(s):

Areum Han ◽

Taehee Kim

Keyword(s):

Social Workers ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Psychosocial Stress ◽

Attention Control ◽

Living Alone ◽

Mindfulness Practice ◽

Control Group ◽

Simulation Based ◽

Experimental Group ◽

Attention Control Group

Abstract Empathy enhancement programs and mindfulness-based practices may reduce care practitioners’ burnout and stress while increasing satisfaction, caring efficacy, and well-being. No study has been conducted to measure the effectiveness of a simulation-based empathy enhancement program combined with mindfulness practice on professionals working with older adults living alone. This study, therefore, assessed the effectiveness of a simulation-based empathy enhancement program with a brief mindfulness practice session on social workers working with older adults living alone. This study was a quasi-experimental study involving 105 social workers in South Korea. The experimental group received a simulation-based empathy enhancement program with mindfulness practice, and the attention control group watched a 30-minute-long educational video about empathy. Data were collected prior to the intervention and at two weeks after the intervention using self-reported questionnaires measuring empathy, caring efficacy, psychosocial stress, compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. The experimental group had significantly lower levels of psychosocial stress compared to the attention control group. Both groups showed significant improvements in empathy but in different empathy measures. Also, the experimental group only showed significantly lower levels of burnout and secondary traumatic stress after the intervention while the attention control group only showed significant improvements in compassion satisfaction and caring efficacy. Although between-group differences were found in psychosocial stress only, pre-and post-test differences in different outcome measures from experimental and attention control groups indicate limited but possible effectiveness of each of the empathy enhancement programs on people in caring professionals.

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