Smartphone-supported Positive Adjustment Coping Intervention (PACI) for couples undergoing fertility treatment: A randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Background Couples undergoing fertility treatment experience emotional stress. Meta-analyses show heterogeneous results regarding the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions on anxiety and depression. Objective The aim of this study was to reduce psychosocial stress (anxiety, depression) in infertile patients. In addition, pregnancy rates and perceived distraction as well as perceived subjective relief were determined. Methods In a two-arm RCT we used “Positive Adjustment Coping Intervention (PACI)”. Participants received the first of 13 daily text messages on their smartphones on the day on which the cryopreserved embryos were thawed or one day after oocyte aspiration. Patients in the PACI condition obtained daily positive adjustment statements and were asked to relate these to their personal situation at least twice a day. Patients in the comparison condition were given daily think tasks providing cognitive distraction. Anxiety and depression scores were assessed with ScreenIVF and perceived distraction as well as relief with an evaluation form. Results PACI did not reduce participant´s depressive scores measured with standardized questionnaire (P