Mind-Body Treatments May Increase Success of IVF Pregnancy
Infertile women who undergo a series of mind-body treatments may increase their chances of becoming pregnant by in vitro fertilization (IVF), according to a recent U.S. study.
In the study, one group of women undergoing IVF took part in 10 sessions of a mind-body treatment while another group of women undergoing IVF did not take part in the treatments.
After one session, there was no difference in pregnancy rates between the two groups. During the next cycle of IVF treatments, however, 52 per cent of the women who underwent the mind-body treatments became pregnant, compared to 20 per cent of the women in the control group. The study further indicated the mind-body sessions seemed to be especially effective for women who were more depressed.
In another study conducted at the University of California, researchers surveyed 431 infertile couples undergoing IVF and found that 28 per cent had also used complementary and alternative medical therapy, with 22 per cent trying acupuncture, 17 per cent trying herbal therapies and five per cent trying body work.
In another study conducted in New York, researchers discovered 47 per cent of infertile couples had tried alternative therapies in addition to IVF to get pregnant, with 90 per cent of them considering the alternative therapy effective.
