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Recruiting NCT07126769

Cyberchondria and Stress in Women Undergoing Infertility Treatment

— Observational Cyberchondria Stress Infertility

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
This is an observational study: the protocol does not assign a study treatment.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Cyberchondria, Stress, Infertility. Basic parameters: 18 years — 45 years · Female.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
Turkey (Türkiye)
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →

Official title

Virtual Knowledge, Real Stress: The Role of Cyberchondria Severity in Women Undergoing Infertility Treatment

Overview

This study examines how searching for health information on the internet may affect stress and emotional well-being in women undergoing infertility treatment. Infertility is a common condition that impacts about 48 million couples worldwide and can cause not only physical challenges but also significant emotional strain, including anxiety, depression, and stress. Many women turn to the internet to seek answers about their condition and treatment. While online information can be helpful, it is not always accurate or consistent, which can increase worry and confusion. This repeated and sometimes excessive searching for health information, known as "cyberchondria," has been linked in previous research to increased stress and anxiety. This study will assess women's online information-seeking patterns, infertility-related stress, and overall emotional and social well-being, aiming to better understand the role of cyberchondria in the infertility treatment process. The results may help healthcare professionals offer more targeted support and guidance to women facing these challenges.

Primary outcome measures

  • Introductory Information Form [Time frame: At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)]
  • Screening Tool on Distress in Fertility Treatment (SCREEN-IVF) [Time frame: At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)]
  • Infertility Stress Scale [Time frame: At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)]
  • Short Form of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale [Time frame: At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • Women undergoing infertility treatment and those who have experienced various treatment methods (IUI, IVF, ICSI).
  • Women willing to participate in the study.
  • Women who understand and speak Turkish.

Exclusion criteria

  • Women with psychological disorders (e.g., clinical depression, anxiety disorders).
  • Women not undergoing infertility treatment.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Observational model
Other

Study locations

Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 center
  • Acıbadem University — Istanbul

Publications

  • Boivin J, Takefman J, Braverman A. The fertility quality of life (FertiQoL) tool: development and general psychometric properties. Hum Reprod. 2011 Aug;26(8):2084-91. doi: 10.1093/humrep/der171. Epub 2011 Jun 10. PMID 21665875
  • Brochu F, Robins S, Miner SA, Grunberg PH, Chan P, Lo K, Holzer HEG, Mahutte N, Ouhilal S, Tulandi T, Zelkowitz P. Searching the Internet for Infertility Information: A Survey of Patient Needs and Preferences. J Med Internet Res. 2019 Dec 12;21(12):e15132. doi: 10.2196/15132. PMID 31829963
  • Buran, G., Toptaş Acar, B. The effect of social and emotional capacities on coping strategies and stress in infertile individuals. Curr Psychol 43, 29984-29994 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-06504-5
  • Çakı, B., & Sohbet, R. (2021). The examination of reproductive information and stress levels of fertilite and infertile women. Adıyaman Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 7(1), 103-112.
  • European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). (2021, August). Factsheet on infertility - prevalence, treatment and fertility decline in Europe.
  • Irmak Vural P, Korpe G, Aslan E. Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of Screening Tool on Distress in Fertility Treatment (SCREENIVF). Psychiatr Danub. 2021 Dec;33(Suppl 13):278-287. PMID 35150496
  • Mayette E, Scalise A, Li A, McGeorge N, James K, Mahalingaiah S. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) patient information-seeking behavior: a qualitative study. BMC Womens Health. 2024 Jun 15;24(1):346. doi: 10.1186/s12905-024-03183-z. PMID 38877503
  • Verhaak CM, Lintsen AM, Evers AW, Braat DD. Who is at risk of emotional problems and how do you know? Screening of women going for IVF treatment. Hum Reprod. 2010 May;25(5):1234-40. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deq054. Epub 2010 Mar 13. PMID 20228392

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07126769 · 2025-07/272

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗