Evaluating a web-based cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for women experiencing infertility : a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Infertility affects 8 to 15 percent of couples globally within their reproductive years, highlighting a significant public health challenge. Infertile couples are often afflicted with depression and anxiety symptoms, with infertility impacting various aspects of their lives, including relationships, social interactions, finances, and mental health. Researchers have found that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can reduce infertility-related stress. Internet-based therapy (iCBT) also shows promise in mitigating infertility stress, potentially reducing treatment costs, and increasing the availability of care. Despite the availability of various digital interventions for infertility stress, empirical validation of their effectiveness remains scarce. The "Overcome Fertility Stress" (OFS) program is an internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (iCBT) designed specifically to help women cope with the stress of infertility. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of OFS in reducing infertility stress in women (N = 63) struggling to conceive, with secondary measures including depression, anxiety, stress, and worry. At the outset, a considerable proportion of the participants in the study exhibited moderate to extremely high levels of infertility-related stress, as well as clinically significant symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and worry. The study results indicated that the OFS program alleviated symptoms of infertility-related stress among the participants. Although the study did not find conclusive evidence for significant reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, or worry among the participants. This thesis outlines the preliminary outcomes obtained thus far. In the future, additional data will be gathered in the continuation of this research to thoroughly evaluate the efficacy of the OFS program.