Impact of a Web-Based Mind-Body Awareness Program on Women Undergoing Infertility Treatment

Improving fertility awareness in women undergoing infertility treatment may facilitate changes in lifestyle behaviors that can enhance fertility. Increasing fertility awareness among infertile individuals may improve the likelihood of pregnancy and the chance of achieving a healthy pregnancy. It may also positively influence general health and reproductive health and support the modification of negative lifestyle behaviors that could affect the infertility treatment process. Fertility awareness may contribute to fertility readiness, which in turn may have a positive impact on treatment outcomes.

This study will be conducted as a two-group parallel randomized controlled trial to determine the effect of a web-based mind-body awareness program based on Meleis Transition Theory on fertility awareness and fertility readiness levels in women undergoing infertility treatment. The study will be carried out with women receiving infertility treatment at the In Vitro Fertilization Unit of Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine.

The sample will consist of women who voluntarily agree to participate in the study, have initiated the infertility treatment process, have undergone a maximum of two IVF attempts, are able to speak and understand Turkish, have at least a primary school education, are not participating in any psychological or social support group, and have not completed or are not currently participating in any mind-body program related to fertility.

The sample size was determined in consultation with a statistician. Based on a review of the literature, particularly a study examining the effects of progressive muscle relaxation exercises on mental health and treatment outcomes in women undergoing IVF (Kıyak and Koçoğlu-Tanyer, 2021), a power analysis was conducted to determine the required sample size. The power analysis indicated that, for a power of 90%, a 95% confidence level, an effect size of f = 0.198, two groups (intervention and control), and three repeated measurements, a total sample size of 48 participants was required.

Considering the findings reported in Kıyak and Koçoğlu-Tanyer (2021) and anticipating a potential decline in progression from chemical pregnancy to clinical pregnancy, as well as possible losses inherent in the IVF treatment process, the sample size was increased by 60%. Accordingly, the study sample was planned as 78 participants in total, with 39 in the intervention group and 39 in the control group. After randomization, no new participants will be added to replace those who withdraw or are excluded from the study for any reason.

The data collection instruments will include a Demographic Information Form, the Fertility Awareness Scale, and the Fertility Readiness Scale.

Within the scope of the study, a web-based mind-body awareness program based on Meleis Transition Theory will be applied to the women in the intervention group. The control group will receive routine nursing care provided in the unit.

The research data will be analyzed using mean, standard deviation, median, quartiles, percentages, minimum and maximum values, as well as Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests.

• Introductory Information Form [Срок оценки: FSH and E2 levels will be monitored on the 2nd-3rd day of the menstrual cycle, the number of oocytes collected on the 16th day of the cycle, embryo transfer status on the 18th day of the cycle, and pregnancy test on the 28th day of the cycle.]