The Effect of Narrative Writing on S tress, Depression,Sexual Satisfaction and Fatigue in Infertile CouplesUndergoing Assis ted Reproductive Technology (ART)Treatment: A Randomized Controlled S tudy

Background: Infertile couples undergoing fertility treatmentsmay experience s tress, depression, Sexual dissatisfaction andfatigue and could benefit from psychological intervention. NarrativeWriting has shown promising results on various psychologicaloutcomes, yet no s tudy has applied the method toinfertility couples. The aim of this s tudy was to the effect ofNarrative Writing on s tress, depression, sexual satisfaction andfatigue in infertile couples undergoing assis ted reproductivetechnology (ART) treatment.Materials and Methods: In this randomized controlled s tudy,۸۰ couples enrolling in their firs t ART treatment at the IsfahanFertility and Infertility were offered to participate. A total of ۸۰ couples were randomized to home-based narrative writing(n=۴۰) and control group(n=۴۰). Completed an infertility-relateds tress, ques tionnaire, The Beck Depression Inventory, Larsonsexual Satisfaction ques tionnaire and Mental Fatigue Scaleat treatment enrollment, ۳ weeks later (at the time of down regulation),and ۶ weeks after the intervention. The interventiontook place ۲ weeks after treatment s tart.Results: The experimental group demons trated significant improvementsin s tress (z = ۶.۵۲۸, P<.۰۰۱) and sexual satisfaction(z = ۳.۱۴۸, P=.۰۰۳) and significant reductions in depression (z =−۴.۸۵۰, P<.۰۰۱) and fatigue (z = −۴.۵۹۷, P<.۰۰۱) in six weeksafter the interventionConclusion: The preliminary results sugges t Narrative Writingto be a feasible, cos t-effective, and efficient method for alleviatingpsychological disorders in infertile couples, although resultsshould be considered preliminary and further tes ting witha larger sample is warranted.

کلیدواژه ها:

Assis ted Reproductive Technology (ART) ، InfertileCouples ، Narrative Writing ، Psychological Disorders ، SexualSatisfaction