Comparing the Effectiveness of Expressive Writing and Relaxation on Mental Health and Treatment Success in Women Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Zahra Najdgholami; Leila Amini; Ali Montazeri; Mahshad Mohammadnoori

doi:10.18502/jfrh.v19i2.19301

Zahra Najdgholami Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Leila Amini Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center (NMCRC), Health Management Research Institute, and Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ali Montazeri Population Health Research Group, Health Metrics Research Center, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, ACECR, and Faculty of Humanity Sciences, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
Mahshad Mohammadnoori Department of Education, Vancouver Career College, Registered Clinical Counsellor, British Columbia, Canada

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jfrh.v19i2.19301

Keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Infertility; Relaxation; Stress; Writing

Abstract

Objective: Infertility and its treatments can lead to mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, stress. This study aimed to compare the effects of relaxation and expressive writing on depression, anxiety, stress, and treatment success in women utilizing assisted reproductive technology methods.

Materials and methods: In this parallel randomized clinical controlled trial, 90 infertile women undergoing assisted reproductive technology were involved. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: writing (n=30), relaxation (n=30), and control (n=30). The writing and relaxation groups received either expressive writing or relaxation interventions, while the control group only received routine treatment. The primary outcomes measured in the study were depression, anxiety, and stress, with treatment success as the secondary outcome. All participants completed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale at the beginning of the treatment cycle and again before ovarian puncture. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-squared, Kruskal-Wallis, and Wilcoxon tests. A p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The results showed that mean differences in depression (P=0.001) and stress scores (P=0.011) before and after intervention in the writing group were significantly higher than in the control group. Additionally, only the writing group experienced a significant decrease in depression (P=0.016). However, there was no significant difference in other measured outcomes among the three groups.

Conclusion: It is recommended to conduct more well-designed studies to further investigate the effects of expressive writing and relaxation techniques.