Inm-2: Assessment of Relaxation Effect on Anxiety in Infertile Women Undergoing Assisted Reproduction Techniques during Ovulation Induction

Background Infertility and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures of which during assisted reproduction technologies (ART) make discomfort and anxiety for infertile couples. Several studies have demonstrated that infertility treatment procedures, particularly during ovulation induction period, lead to high levels of distress and anxiety in infertile women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of relaxation on anxiety levels of infertile women undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment during ovulation induction period. MaterialsAndMethods This was a randomized controlled trial. One hundred infertile women undergoing IVF/ICSI were recruited in this study and were randomly assigned into an intervention (N=50) or a control (N=50) group according to simple sampling method. Data collection tools contained a demographic (designed by researcher) and “Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory” standard valid and reliable questionnaire. All samples were evaluated at the beginning of the study (first day of ovulation induction) and again at the oocyte retrieval day at the operating room just before the anesthesia. Relaxation training was done for intervention group and they were asked to do exercises 10-20 minutes daily until operation. Data was analyzed via SPSS18 software. Results There was no significant difference between two groups in demographic features. Although the average anxiety level of the intervention group decreased from 43.73 at the first day of ovulation induction to 42.69 at the oocyte retrieval day, but there was no significant statistical difference. Furthermore, significant difference was not seen in the control group and between two groups (P>0/05). Conclusion Relaxation leads to reduction of anxiety levels among infertile women undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment during ovulation induction period. Despite of the insignificant difference caused in anxiety levels, relaxation could be clinically important due to patient’s satisfaction of doing relaxation exercises.