Online Mind/Body Program for Fertility

November 10, 2017 updated by: Jessica Clifton, University of Vermont

Fertility & Well-Being: Mind/Body Protocol

This pilot-study assesses the feasibility and acceptability of an Online Mind/Body Fertility Program, designed to help individuals and/or couples cope with the physical and emotional impact of infertility by learning special relaxation strategies and improving lifestyle habits. Participants included women experiencing infertility who had not given birth to a child. Half of participants received access to the 10-week Online Mind-Body Program and the other half were placed on a waiting-list.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive a child. A couple may be acknowledged as infertile if conception has not occurred after 12 months of having regular, unprotected intercourse. Over six million couples in the United States are affected by infertility. Research suggests that there is a relationship between psychological distress and infertility, but the relationship is complex. The information from this study will be used to better understand the relationship between psychological distress and infertility among couples. Furthermore, the investigators are interested in testing Dr. Alice Domar's Mind/Body Fertility Program that was designed to help individuals regain control of their life and learn new lifestyle habits that can increase their chances of conceiving. There is evidence that individuals that participated in the group format of this treatment protocol showed statistically significant decreases in physical and psychological symptoms of stress and increases in conception rates. Our primary goals are to evaluate patients willingness to be recruited and randomized as well as their adherence and attrition to the program. Our secondary goals are to evaluate reductions in emotional distress (i.e., anxiety, depression, and stress) and enhance emotion regulation skills as well as pregnancy rates.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
71

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Vermont
      • Burlington, Vermont, United States, 05405
        • University of Vermont

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Women and Men
  • Infertility diagnosis
  • Trying to get pregnant
  • 18 years or older
  • Read and write English

Exclusion Criteria:

  • No current diagnosis for an active psychotic disorder, eating disorder, substance abuse or dependence
  • Not reporting current suicidal ideation/intent
  • No psychotropic medication changes in the last four weeks
  • Has not completed a formal mind/body program focused on infertility that included relaxation, yoga, mindfulness, cognitive restructuring, stress reduction strategies, listening and communication skills, goal setting and assertiveness training.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Intervention: Online Mind/Body
Participants randomized to the intervention group (i.e., Online Mind/Body Program for Fertility) were provided the 10 online modules provided weekly (one module per week), intended to be completed over 10 weeks. Additionally, participants received weekly therapeutic feedback.
Behavioral: Online Mind/Body Program for Fertility
The Mind/Body intervention involves (1) reducing physical symptoms of stress, (2) enhancing lifestyle behaviors related to fertility, (4) self-nurturing and coping skills, and (5) relaxation methods.
No Intervention: Wait-List
After 10-weeks being in the wait-list group, participants had the potential to participate in the intervention protocol if they desire.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Feasibility 1: Feasibility of recruitment and randomization
Time Frame: Approximately 12 months
Number of participants recruited and randomized. From time study began to when recruitment closed.
Approximately 12 months
Feasibility 2: Time
Time Frame: Approximately 12 months
Time between recruitment and completion of the study. Time between recruitment and randomization; time between each of the modules; time between each of the assessments (pre-assessment; mid-assessment; post-assessment, and follow-up).
Approximately 12 months
Feasibility 3: Participant retention and acceptability
Time Frame: Approximately 12 months
Percentage of enrolled participants that completed each stage of the study (mid-assessment, post-assessment, follow-up, and each of the ten modules for the intervention group only).
Approximately 12 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Acceptability 1: Ease of modules
Time Frame: Approximately 12 months
Participants will be asked at the end of each module: "how easy was this module." Answer choices are on a 3-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 ("easy") to 3 ("not easy"). Data collected from beginning to end of intervention.
Approximately 12 months
Acceptability 2: Helpfulness
Time Frame: Approximately 12 months
Participants will be asked at the end of each module: "how helpful was the module." Answer choices are on a four-item Likert scale ranging from 0 ("unhelpful") to 3 ("very helpful"). Data is collected throughout the Mind/Body program, intervention group only.
Approximately 12 months
Satisfaction of Intervention
Time Frame: Approximately 12 months
Participant satisfaction as measured by the Client Satisfaction Inventory Short-Form (McMurtry & Hudson, 2000). This measurement is a 9-item self-report scale that assesses the satisfaction of the participant with the effects of the treatments. Participants are asked to rate the way they feel about the services they received on a 7-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 ("none of the time") to 7 ("all of the time"). The total scores range between 0 and 100 (for scoring algorithm, see McMurty & Hudson, 2000), with higher scores indicating more satisfaction. Data is collected for the intervention group at post-assessment only.
Approximately 12 months
Pregnancy: Between group comparison
Time Frame: Approximately 12 months
Self-reported confirmation of pregnancy. Data collected at baseline, pre-assessment, mid-assessment, post-assessment, and follow-up.
Approximately 12 months
Anxiety 1: Individual changes
Time Frame: Approximately 12 months
Individual changes in anxiety as measured by the Beck Anxiety Inventory. The Beck Anxiety Inventory is a 21-item self-report measure used to assess somatic or panic-related anxiety symptoms. Individuals are asked to rate their symptoms of anxiety over the past week on a 4-point Likert scale from 0 ("not at all") to 3 ("severely; I could barely stand it"). A total score is calculated by summing all items. Scores range from 0 (no anxiety severity) to 63 (severe anxiety severity). Data collected throughout study (baseline, pre-assessment, mid-assessment, post-assessment, and follow-up) as well as at the beginning of each intervention module.
Approximately 12 months
Anxiety 2: Between group changes
Time Frame: Approximately 12 months
Between group changes in anxiety as measured by Beck Anxiety Inventory (Beck, Steer, Beck, & Newman, 1993). The Beck Anxiety Inventory is a 21-item self-report measure used to assess somatic or panic-related anxiety symptoms. Individuals are asked to rate their symptoms of anxiety over the past week on a 4-point Likert scale from 0 ("not at all") to 3 ("severely; I could barely stand it"). A total score is calculated by summing all items. Scores range from 0 (no anxiety severity) to 63 (severe anxiety severity). Data collected throughout study (baseline, pre-assessment, mid-assessment, post-assessment, and follow-up) as well as at the beginning of each intervention module.
Approximately 12 months
Depression 1: Individual changes
Time Frame: Approximately 12 months
Individual changes in depression as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory - 2nd Edition. The Beck Depression Inventory - 2nd Edition is a 21-item self-report measure used to assess cognitive, affective, and physical depressive symptoms. Questions include content such as sadness, guilt, disappointment, and loss of energy. Participants are asked to rate each item on a 4-point Likert scale from 0 (not endorsed) to 3 (endorsed at maximum severity). A total score is calculated by summing all items. Scores range from 0 (no depressive symptoms) to 63 (severe depressive symptoms). Data collected at baseline, pre-assessment, mid-assessment, post-assessment and follow-up).
Approximately 12 months
Depression 2: Between group changes
Time Frame: Approximately 12 months
Between group changes in depression as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory - 2nd Edition (Beck, Steer, Ball, & Ranieri, 1996). The Beck Depression Inventory - 2nd Edition is a 21-item self-report measure used to assess cognitive, affective, and physical depressive symptoms. Questions include content such as sadness, guilt, disappointment, and loss of energy. Participants are asked to rate each item on a 4-point Likert scale from 0 (not endorsed) to 3 (endorsed at maximum severity). A total score is calculated by summing all items. Scores range from 0 (no depressive symptoms) to 63 (severe depressive symptoms). Data collected at baseline, pre-assessment, mid-assessment, post-assessment and follow-up).
Approximately 12 months
Stress: Between group changes
Time Frame: Approximately 12 months
Between group changes in stress as measured by Perceived Stress Scale. The Perceived Stress Scale is a 10-item questionnaire measuring the present level of self-rated stress in the last month. Items were designed to assess how unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded respondents find their lives. Higher scores indicate more distress. Participants are asked to rate each item on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 ("never") to 4 ("very often"). Scores range from 0 to 40 where higher scores indicate greater perceived stress (for scoring algorithm see Cohen, 1988; Cohen, Kamarck, & Mermelstein, 1983).
Approximately 12 months
Mindfulness: Between group comparison
Time Frame: Approximately 12 months
Between group changes in mindfulness as measured by the Five-Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ; Baer, Smith, Hopkins, Krietemeyer, & Toney, 2006). The FFMQ is a 39-item self-report measure used to assess a trait-like tendency to be mindful in daily life. It has five subscales (i.e., observe, describe, awareness, non-judgmental, and non-reactive). Each question on the FFMQ is rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("never or very rarely true") to 5 ("very often or always true"). Total score (adding subscale scores) ranges from 39 to 195 with higher scores indicating greater mindfulness (for scoring algorithm see Baer, Smith, Hopkins, Krietemeyer, & Toney, 2006). Data collected at baseline, mid-assessment, and post-assessment.
Approximately 12 months
Fertility Problem Inventory: Between group changes
Time Frame: Approximately 12 months
Between group changes in fertility related distress as measured by The Fertility Problem Inventory. The Fertility Problem Inventory is a 46-item questionnaire that measures domains (Social Concern, Sexual Concern, Relationship Concern, Need for Parenthood, and Rejection of Child-Free Lifestyle) considered important in understanding perceived infertility related stress as well as an overall global index of infertility-related stress (composite score of the all domains). The overall score ranges from 46 to 276. For each of the scales, higher scores indicate more fertility related distress (for a scoring algorithm see Newton, Sherrard, & Glavac, 1999). Data collected at baseline, post-assessment, and follow-up.
Approximately 12 months
Emotion Regulation: Between group comparison
Time Frame: Approximately 12 months
Between group changes in emotion regulation as measured by the Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS; Gratz & Roemer, 2004). The DERS is a 36-item self-report questionnaire measuring problems with emotional regulation based on responses indicating impairment in six dimensions (Goals, Impulse, Awareness, Nonacceptance, Strategy, and Clarity) and a total score (sum of all subscales). Total score ranges from 36 to 180. For each of the scales, higher scores indicate greater difficulties with emotional regulation in each of the domains (for scoring algorithm see Gratz & Roemer, 2004). Data collected at baseline and post-assessment.
Approximately 12 months
Relationship Quality: Between group comparison
Time Frame: Approximately 12 months
Between group changes in emotion regulation as measured by the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (Spanier, 1976). The Dyadic Adjustment Scale is a 32-item questionnaire assessing relationship difficulty in four domains (Consensus, Satisfaction, Affective Expression, and Cohesion) and a total score. The total score ranges form 0 and 151. Greater scores indicate greater marital satisfaction (for scoring algorithm see, Spanier, 1976). Data collected at baseline and post-assessment.
Approximately 12 months

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Satisfaction 2: Qualitative
Time Frame: Approximately 12 Months
Open-ended questions regarding components of the mind/body program throughout the ten modules and post-intervention to provide context around satisfaction of intervention.
Approximately 12 Months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Vermont

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Jessica Clifton, Ph.D., University of Vermont

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 14, 2015

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
April 14, 2017

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
April 14, 2017

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 19, 2017

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
November 10, 2017

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
November 17, 2017

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
November 17, 2017

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
November 10, 2017

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
November 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • MindBody

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

Undecided

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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