Psychological improvement in infertile women after behavioral treatment: a replication

Authors
Alice D. Domar, Ph.D., Patricia C. Zuttermeister, M.A., Machalle Seibel, M.D., Herbert Benson, M.D.
Publication
Fertility and Sterility
Volume 58, Issue 1, p. 144-147
Abstract

Objective: To replicate previously reported psychological improvements in infertile women attending a group behavioral treatment program.

Design: Psychological and demographic data were collected before entering and again upon completion of a behavioral medicine program on a second cohort of patients.

Setting: The program was offered in the Division of Behavioral Medicine, an outpatient clinic of the Department of Medicine at New England Deaconess Hospital. All patients were receiving care from infertility specialists not affiliated with this hospital.

Patients: Fifty two self-referred women receiving medical treatment for infertility attended the program.

Intervention: A 10-week group behavioral treatment program.

Main outcome measures: Three validated psychological instruments.

Results: Psychological improvement was statistically significant (Profile of Mood States Tension/Anxiety: P less than 0.0001; Depression/Dejection: P less than 0.0122; Vigor/Activity: P less than 0.0431; Confusion/Bewilderment: P less than 0.0057; Spielberger Anger Expression: P less than 0.0013; Spielberger State Anxiety: P less than 0.0037, and Trait Anxiety: P less than 0.0001).

Conclusions: Behavioral treatment is associated with significant decreases in negative psychological symptoms.

Related Listings
A wakeful hypometabolic physiologic state
Authors
Robert K Wallace, Herbert Benson, Archie F Wilsom
Journal
American Journal of Physiology
·
Mental states can markedly alter physiologic function. Hypermetabolic physiologic states, with an increased oxygen consumption, accompany anticipated stressful situations. Hypometabolic physiologic changes, other than those occurring during sleep and hibernation, are more difficult to produce. The present investigation describes hypometabolic and other physiologic correlates of a specific technique of meditation know as "transcendental meditation". Thirty-six subjects were studied, ea […]
Health Outcomes and a New Index of Spiritual Ex...
Authors
Jared D. Kass, Richard Friedman, Jane Leserman, Patricia C. Zuttermeister, Herbert Benson
Journal
Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
·
Clinical observations suggesting a relationship between spiritual experiences, life purpose and satisfaction, and improvements in physical health led to the development of an Index of Core Spiritual Experience (INSPIRIT). Data from 83 medical outpatients showed the INSPIRIT to have a strong degree of internal reliability and concurrent validity. Multiple regression analyses showed the INSPIRIT to be associated with: (1) increased life purpose and satisfaction, a health-promoting attit […]
Meditation and psychotherapy: a rationale for t...
Authors
I Kutz, J Z Borysenko, H Benson
Journal
The American Journal of Psychiatry
·
A framework for the integration of meditation and psychotherapy is presented through a consideration of the psychobiological nature of meditation (the relaxation response) and discussion of a traditional meditation practice (mindfulness meditation) as an effective cognitive technique for the development of self-awareness. The mechanisms by which the emotional and cognitive changes of meditation can be of therapeutic value are explored and the synergistic advantages of the combination […]