Abstract

Infertility is a global health concern that significantly impacts psychological well-being, often leading to increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), such as mindfulness- based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, have shown promise in alleviating psychological distress across clinical populations. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of MBIs in reducing fertility-related stress and associated psychological outcomes in women undergoing infertility treatment. This review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO. A comprehensive literature search was conducted up to March 2024. Studies were eligible if they evaluated MBIs in infertile women and measured outcomes including stress, anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, infertility adjustment, mindfulness awareness, or quality of life. Risk of bias was assessed using the modified Downs and Black checklist. Out of 1,991 records identified, seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were randomized controlled trials with sample sizes ranging from 34 to 100 participants. MBIs were associated with significant reductions in stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Improvements were also observed in self-efficacy, infertility adjustment, mindfulness awareness, and overall quality of life. Methodological quality ranged from fair to excellent, with four studies scoring ≥24 out of 28. MBIs are effective in reducing psychological distress and enhancing emotional well-being among women facing infertility. These findings support the integration of MBIs into fertility care as a holistic approach to address the emotional needs of patients. Further large-scale studies with standardized protocols and long-term follow-up are recommended.

Key words: mindfulness, infertility, stress, anxiety, quality of life, self-efficacy.