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Effectiveness of sexual health counseling based on mindfulness approach on sexual satisfaction in women suffering from infertility: An RCT.

Sara Hosseini Nejad, Mahshid Bokaie, Seyed Mojtaba Yassini Ardekani

International journal of reproductive biomedicine February 1, 2023 DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v21i2.12805 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized clinical trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 44
Population Women suffering from infertility referred to the Yazd Reproductive Science Institute, Yazd, Iran
Intervention Sexual health counseling based on the mindfulness approach
Duration 8 sessions of counseling; follow-up at 12 weeks
Measures sexual satisfaction questionnaire
Topics Meditation
Keywords Infertility Women Sexual satisfaction Psychology.
Key findings Women with infertility who received eight sessions of mindfulness-based sexual health counseling showed increased sexual satisfaction scores from baseline (62.9) to week 8 (71.6) and week 12 (70.9), while the control group's scores remained around 63-64; the authors report the difference as statistically significant and suggest the program may improve sexual satisfaction.

Abstract

Background: The infertility phenomenon affects physiological and psychosocial aspects. Sexual counseling can improve sexual and marital satisfaction.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of sexual health counseling based on the mindfulness approach on sexual satisfaction of women suffering from infertility.

Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 44 women suffering from infertility referred to the Yazd Reproductive Science Institute, Yazd, Iran. Women were randomly divided into 2 groups. The intervention group (n = 22) received 8 sessions of sexual counseling, while control group (n = 22) received routine care. The data collection tool was the sexual satisfaction questionnaire.

Results: The mean age of women was 30.05 ± 4.9 yr, infertility duration was 6.83 ± 4.27 yr, and the mean duration of marriage was 8.3 ± 4.01 yr. The mean score of sexual satisfaction of women suffering from infertility in the intervention group was 62.9 ± 7.32, 71.6 ± 5.95, and 70.9 ± 6.26, before the intervention (baseline), after intervention (8 th wk), and follow-up (12 th wk) respectively. The mean score of sexual satisfaction of women suffering from infertility in the control group was 63.3 ± 6.82, 64.2 ± 7.93, and 62.25 ± 7.99, at baseline, 8 th wk later, and after follow-up (12 th wk), respectively. Sexual satisfaction scores increased before and one month after the intervention in the counseling group, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Mindfulness-based sexual health counseling programs may improve sexual satisfaction in women suffering from infertility in the intervention group.

Comparable studies

Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment 2003 Randomized controlled trial n = 41
Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients 2000 Randomized controlled trial n = 145
Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults 2008 Randomized controlled trial n = 139
Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students 2007 Randomized controlled trial n = 40
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients 2004 Randomized controlled trial n = 73

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