Cognitive behavioural therapy improves pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Research progress on the impact of anxiety and depression on embryo transfer outcomes of in vitro fertilization

Infertile women who receive in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) often present psychological distress such as anxiety, depression and perceived stress. This adverse psychological state can affect the immune homeostasis at the mother-fetus interface, the incubation of blastula and the receptivity of the maternal endometrium through the psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrine network, which in turns affect the proliferation, invasion and vascular remodeling of the embryo trophoblast, and reduces the success rate of embryo transfer. This adverse outcome of embryo transfer will further aggravate the psychological pain of patients, forming a vicious circle. The positive partner effect between husband and wife or the use of cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, yoga and other measures for psychological intervention before and after IVF-ET, may break the vicious cycle and improve clinical pregnancy rate, continuous pregnancy rate and live birth rate after IVF-ET by alleviating anxiety and depression. This article reviews the research progress on anxiety and depression states in women receiving IVF-ET and the impact on outcome of IVF-ET and related mechanisms, as well as the application of psychological intervention for alleviating anxiety and depression, so as to provide insights in improving the outcome of IVF-ET.

Current Resources for Evidence-Based Practice, March 2022

An extensive review of new resources to support the provision of evidence-based care for women and infants. The current column includes a discussion of systemic racism and its effect on maternal health in the United States and commentaries on reviews focused on barriers and facilitators to HPV vaccination and delayed cord clamping in preterm infants.