Pilot Study
by
Helen Adrienne, LCSW, BCD
THE EFFICACY OF MIND/BODY SUPPORT GROUPS
FOR WOMEN STRUGGLING WITH INFERTILITY
This is a brief synopsis of a study that I did to determine the impact of my ten-week mind/body support groups for women struggling with infertility. The hypothesis was that by learning and practicing stress reduction techniques which intervened from the perspective of mind and body, participants could reverse the physiology and emotionality of stress. Results would be measurable as improved mood and outlook and lowered subjective experience of bodily stress.
Forty-nine women participated in one of seven groups which were run from May of 2001 until November of 2005. The women ranged in age from 28 to 44 and were aware of a fertility problem anywhere from 5 months to 6 ½ years. Thirty-nine of the women filled out a demographic form and took 3 self-assessment tests before and after the group program.
Results of all 3 assessment instruments demonstrated a trend toward improvement in mood and outlook and a lessening of physical tension. Most notable because it was statistically significant, was the reduction in levels of anger.
Conclusion: A group setting is beneficial for women who struggle with the physical and emotional stress of infertility. The program design has promise in enabling patients to endure the protracted nature of the fertility treatment with increased equanimity.
The focus was on the impact of the group protocol on the infertility experience and not on pregnancy rates. But it is noteworthy that of the 49 women, 4 were lost to follow-up and of the remaining 45, 34 have gone on to have 52 children, 46 by birth and 6 by adoption. As of September 2007 there are 3 more pregnancies. Without the constraint of time, to look at the birth and adoption statistics of this study allows us to realize that women who are determined to get babies do succeed.
Helen Adrienne, LCSW, BCD
420 East 64th Street – 1D (East)
New York, NY 10065
212-758-0125
212-888-2558 (FAX)
©Helen Adrienne, LCSW, BCD - 2006
