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A Single-Group Pilot Study of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Indian Women Undergoing IVF

Harleen Kaur, Palak Upadhyay, Gursabeen Kaur, Pooja Tandon, Bholeshwar Prasad Mishra

Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation May 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/21501378.2026.2680301 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Single-group pre-post-follow-up feasibility pilot study Randomized Peer reviewed
Sample size 30
Population Indian women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)
Intervention Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
Duration 8-week intervention, 2-month follow-up
Measures RSES, GSE, COMPI, FertiQoL
Topics Meditation
Key points MBCT was feasible and acceptable for Indian women undergoing IVF, with high retention and assessment completion. Exploratory analyses indicated significant improvements over time in self-esteem, self-efficacy, coping, and fertility-related quality of life, with most gains maintained at follow-up.

Abstract

To examine the feasibility and acceptability of a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) intervention for Indian women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), and to explore patterns of change in psychological outcomes within a socio-cultural context. Thirty women undergoing IVF participated in a single-group pre-post-follow-up feasibility pilot study. Participants received eight weekly individual MBCT sessions. The outcomes assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and two-month follow-up included self-esteem (RSES), self-efficacy (GSE), coping strategies (COMPI), and fertility-related quality of life (FertiQoL). Repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted for exploratory purposes. The high retention (83.3%) and assessment completion (>98%) supported feasibility. Exploratory analyses showed significant changes over time across outcomes (e.g., self-esteem: F(1.16, 33.65) =82.40, p < .001, η2=.74), with most improvements maintained at follow-up. MBCT appears feasible and acceptable for women undergoing IVF. Findings inform outcome selection and study design, within socio-cultural contexts, for future randomized controlled trials.

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Study Year Design Participants
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients 2003 Pre-post intervention study n = 59
Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample 2010 Pre-post intervention study
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students 2003 Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study n = 302
Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls 2011 Controlled trial with wait-list control group n = 60
The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents 2011 Within-group waitlist controlled trial n = 22

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