Body-mind-spirit intervention for IVF women

Beyond body mass index: a synthesis of lifestyle factors that may influence in vitro fertilisation outcomes

There are several lifestyle factors that are thought to potentially impact in vitro fertilisation outcomes, including body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, caffeine, dietary patterns and physical activity. Eligibility criteria for in vitro fertilisation in England often require individuals to be non-smokers, drug free and have a body mass index <30kg/m2. Some researchers have questioned the scientific and ethical basis for the use of body mass index thresholds in fertility treatment, citing evidence that other factors may have a greater effect on the chance of success of in vitro fertilisation. This article aims to briefly synthesise the current evidence on how other factors such as smoking, alcohol, recreational drugs, smoking, caffeine, dietary patterns and physical activity may impact in vitro fertilisation outcomes.

Application of Mobile Call-Based Integrative Body-Mind-Spirit (IBMS) Intervention to Deal With Psychological Issues of COVID-19 Patients: A Case Study in India

Aim: The aim of this case study was to assess whether 8 sessions of mobile call based integrated Body-Mind-Spirit (IBMS) intervention could help COVID-19 patient to deal with psychological issues. Methods: This article is based on a practical example of working with COVID-19 patient using the IBMS model. It is a single subject study involving a 50 year old south Indian male living in a Covid Care Center (CCC). Mobile call interviews and brief symptom inventory were used for evaluation. Subject underwent 8 sessions of integrated body-mind-spirit Intervention through video/mobile calls of 45 minutes each time for 8 sessions offered on alternative days over a period of 15 days with pre-post assessments. Results: The results indicate that there was a reduction in somatic symptoms, anxiety and depression on 15th day. Conclusion: Illustrations of real life cases may help psychiatric nurses to gain insight into the application of psycho-social-spiritual interventions through mobile phone during isolation and lockdown.

Effects of Mind-Body Programs on Infertile Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

PURPOSE

This study was to systematically review randomized controlled trials and conduct a meta analysis. The results of randomized controlled trials were integrated and analyzed to assess the effects of mind-body programs on anxiety, depression, quality of life, and pregnancy rate in infertile women.

METHODS

Using electronic databases (i.e., Research Information Sharing Service, Korean Studies Information Service System, Korean Medical Database, National Digital Science Library, Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PsycARTICLES), 10 of 2,259 studies were included for meta-analysis. To estimate the effect size, a meta-analysis of the studies was performed using RevMan 5.3.

RESULTS

The mind-body program was effective in relieving anxiety [standardized mean difference (SMD) = -3.44; 95% confidence interval (CI) = -5.94, -0.95; p = .007; I² = 69%] and depression (SMD = -5.79; 95% CI = -10.36, -1.22; p = .010; I² = 86%). Furthermore, it was effective in enhancing the quality of life (SMD = 7.40; 95% CI = 2.92, 11.88; p = .001; I² = 53%) and pregnancy rate (SMD = 2.06; 95% CI = 1.08, 3.95; p = .030; I² = 73%). The mind-body program was found to relieve anxiety and depression in infertile women and improve their quality of life, thereby positively affecting the pregnancy rate.

CONCLUSION

The mind-body program was found to relieve anxiety and depression in infertile women and improve their quality of life, thereby positively affecting the pregnancy rate. The mind-body program needs to be considered to a wider audience for positive effects on emotions and pregnancy outcomes of infertile women.

Protocol for Psychosocial Interventions Based on Integrative Body-Mind-Spirit (IBMS) Model for Children with Eczema and Their Parent Caregivers

Purpose: Eczema is a pediatric skin disease that affects the psychosocial well-being of both children and their parent caregivers. This paper outlines a protocol for an experimental study that evaluates the effectiveness of a psychosocial empowerment program for children with eczema and their parent caregivers. Method: A multi-center randomized controlled trial is proposed, where parent-child dyads are randomized into two arms: an intervention group and wait-list control group. The intervention is delivered to participants in a parallel group format based on the Integrative Body-Mind-Spirit model which focuses on holistic well-being. Quality of life is measured before and after the intervention is provided, and five weeks after the intervention has been completed. Discussion: The suggested model fills a research gap in existing interventions, and provides new knowledge by evaluating the effectiveness of a tailored psychosocial intervention, delivered in group settings, for parent-child dyads affected by eczema.

A Brief Body-Mind-Spirit Group Therapy for Chinese Medicine Stagnation Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Stagnation syndrome, a diagnostic entity in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is characterized by mind-body obstruction-like symptoms. Although TCM has long-established symptom-relief treatments, a comprehensive mind-body intervention was called for.

PURPOSE

The study evaluated the efficacy of a six-session body-mind-spirit (BMS) group therapy for persons with stagnation syndrome.

METHOD

A 2-arm randomized controlled trial design was adopted. The control group received a parallel general TCM instruction course. Both groups completed a pretest (T0), posttest (T1), and 2-month follow-up assessment (T2). The measures included self-report scales on stagnation, depression, anxiety, physical distress, daily functioning, and positive and negative affect; the other measure was of salivary cortisol, a biological marker of stress.

RESULTS

Data on 111 adults with stagnation syndrome were included in the analysis. Completion rates were high (over 87%) for both the intervention and control groups. Repeated-measures multivariate MANOVA revealed a significant combined effect with large effect size (eta-squared = 0.42). Repeated-measures ANOVA further revealed that the intervention group showed significant improvements in stagnation, the primary outcome, with medium effect size (eta-squared = 0.11). The intervention group also showed significant improvements in depression, physical distress, everyday functioning, and negative affect (eta-squared = 0.06 to 0.13). Post hoc analysis revealed that the intervention group showed significant improvements over the control group in cortisol level at 2-month follow-up assessment (T0 versus T2) with small effect size (eta-squared = 0.05), but not at posttest (T0 versus T1).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the findings indicate that our brief BMS group therapy intervention for stagnation syndrome is efficacious. Moreover, the intervention resulted in a number of substantial improvements in the physical and mental health domains.

Addressing holistic health and work empowerment through a body-mind-spirit intervention program among helping professionals in continuous education: A pilot study

To examine the effectiveness of a body-mind-spirit (BMS) intervention program in improving the holistic well-being and work empowerment among helping professionals in continuous education. Forty-four helping professionals, who were in their first-year part-time postgraduate study, participated in the present study. All participants attended a 3-day BMS intervention program which emphasized a holistic approach to health and well-being. Ratings on their levels of physical distress, daily functioning, affect, spirituality, and psychological empowerment at work were compared before and immediately after the intervention. Participants reported significantly lower levels of negative affect and physical distress, and were less spiritually disoriented after the intervention. Enhanced levels of daily functioning, positive affect, spiritual resilience, and tranquility were also reported. Results also suggested that participants were empowered at work, and specifically felt more able to make an impact on work outcomes. The 3-day BMS intervention program produced a positive and measurable effect on participants' holistic well-being and empowerment at work. Educators in related fields could incorporate holistic practices into the curriculum to better prepare the future practitioners, leading to better outcomes both to the professionals themselves and their clients or patients.

Differences in the origin of philosophy between Chinese medicine and Western medicine: Exploration of the holistic advantages of Chinese medicine

To explore advantages of Chinese medicine (CM) by analyzing differences in the origin of philosophy for human health between CM and Western medicine (WM). Methodologically, a distinctive feature of CM is its systems theory, which is also the difference between CM and WM. Since the birth of CM, it has taken the human body as a whole from the key concepts of “qi, blood, yin-yang, viscera (Zang-Fu), and meridian and channel”, rather than a single cell or a particular organ. WM evolves from the Western philosophic way of thinking and merely uses natural sciences as the foundation. The development of WM is based on human structures, or anatomy, and therefore, research of WM is also based on the way of thinking of decomposing the whole human body into several independent parts, which is the impetus of promoting the development of WM. The core of CM includes the holistic view and the dialectical view. Chinese herbal medicines contain various components and treat a disease from multiple targets and links. Therefore, Chinese herbal medicines treat a diseased state by regulating and mobilizing the whole body rather than just regulating a single factor, since the diseased state is not only a problem in a local part of the body but a local reflection of imbalance of the whole body.

Incorporating spirituality in psychosocial group intervention for women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a prospective randomized controlled study

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the efficacy of a group intervention, the Integrative Body-Mind-Spirit (I-BMS) intervention, which aims at improving the psychosocial and spiritual well-being of Chinese women undergoing their first IVF treatment cycle.

DESIGN

The I-BMS intervention facilitates the search of meaning of life in the context of family and childbearing, as well as the letting go of high IVF expectations. A randomized controlled study of 339 women undergoing first IVF treatment cycle in a local Hong Kong hospital was conducted (intervention: n= 172; no-intervention control: n= 167).

METHODS

Assessments of anxiety, perceived importance of childbearing, and spiritual well-being were made at randomization (T(0) ), on the day starting ovarian stimulations (T(1)), and on the day undertaking embryo transfer (T(2)).

RESULTS

Comparing T(0) and T(2), interaction analyses showed women who had received the intervention reported lower levels of physical distress, anxiety, and disorientation. They reported being more tranquil and satisfied with their marriage, and saw childbearing as less important compared to women in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that I-BMS intervention was successful at improving the psychosocial and spiritual well-being of women undergoing their first IVF treatment cycle. This study highlights the importance of providing integrative fertility treatment that incorporates psychosocial and spiritual dimensions.

Life after unsuccessful IVF treatment in an assisted reproduction unit: a qualitative analysis of gains through loss among Chinese persons in Hong Kong

BACKGROUND

Previous studies examining experiences of infertility focused mainly on the aspect of loss but neglected the possible gains realized through surviving the experience of infertility. The success rate of IVF remains relatively low, and we used the strengths perspective to examine adjustment after unsuccessful treatment. This study aims to provide an in-depth description of the gains perceived by Chinese men and women and how they re-constructed their lives after unsuccessful IVF treatment.

METHODS

Four couples and another six women who experienced unsuccessful IVF treatment were recruited from an assisted reproduction clinic. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, using a grounded theory constructivist approach.

RESULTS

Of the 10 women and 4 men interviewed, 9 remained childless, 3 had adopted a child and 2 had conceived naturally. They reported gains on a personal level, interpersonal level and transpersonal level through surviving the experience of infertility. All, regardless of the eventual outcome, reported at least one form of personal gain: in personality or knowledge gain. Interpersonal gains were perceived in relationships with their spouses, children, parents, friends, colleagues and fellow IVF service users. More than half of them reported spiritual growth and a change in identity through integrating their experiences and offering help to others.

CONCLUSION

Despite the small sample size, this study makes a significant contribution by suggesting that while negative feelings provoked by the failure to conceive should be acknowledged, people in this situation should also be enabled to consolidate their negative experiences of IVF constructively, helping them to move on with their lives.

East meets West: applying Eastern spirituality in clinical practice

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The paper discusses the application of the Eastern body-mind-spirit approach in healthcare practice.

BACKGROUND

Traumas, sufferings and losses may induce immense distress in patients and their families, as well as apathy and exhaustion in healthcare workers. Over-specialization and compartmentalization of services may provide a convenient shelter for healthcare workers to be detached and to simply focus on a narrowly defined scope of intervention. However, the existential problems are still there. Based upon eastern philosophies and holistic health practices, we propose the body-mind-spirit approach in healthcare settings.

METHODS

This is a review paper summarizing the application of the approach on various clinical populations.

RESULTS

The approach has been trialled with promising results in a number of health conditions and psychosocial predicaments. Spirituality is not restricted to any religious practices, nor is it narrowed to the pursuit of knowledge at a high level of abstraction. The interconnectedness of the body, mind and spirit presupposes that the practice of spirituality is multidimensional and multi-levelled.

CONCLUSIONS

Using the body-mind-spirit framework flexibly we can engage more clients while facilitating the important process of exploration and change. The key components include getting in touch with the inner self, coming back to our senses, connecting our body and mind and rebalancing our relationship with the natural and social environment. The ultimate goal is to move out of meaninglessness and to reach a state of mature spirituality of tranquillity and transcendence.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The practice of spirituality can be easily applied to daily life.