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Wilczyńska D, Walczak-Kozłowska T, Santos-Rocha R, Laskowski R, Szumilewicz A. Stress is not so bad-cortisol level and psychological functioning after 8-week HIIT program during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1307998. [PMID: 38259751 PMCID: PMC10800893 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1307998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Amid extensive pregnancy exercise research, the impact of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on pregnant women's mental health is underexplored. Despite exercise benefits, it can trigger stress responses like elevated cortisol. This study fills the gap by investigating correlations between hair cortisol levels, mental health, and HIIT effects in pregnant women. Methods We conducted a randomized control trial among 38 Caucasian women in uncomplicated, singleton pregnancy (age 31.11 ± 4.03 years, 21.82 ± 4.30 week of gestation; mean ± SD). The experimental group comprised 22 women engaged in an 8-week high-intensity interval training program (HIIT). The comparative group consisted of 16 pregnant women undergoing an 8-week educational program (EDU). Before and after the interventions, all women were evaluated using the following tools: Hair cortisol level measurements, Beck Depression Inventory - II for depressive symptoms assessment, Childbirth Attitudes Questionnaire for childbirth fear measurement, 12-item Short Form Health Survey to gage health-related quality of life, International Physical Activity Questionnaire for physical activity level estimation, and a Progressive maximal exercise test to evaluate maternal exercise capacity. Results The key finding of our study reveals that women engaged in the HIIT intervention exhibited a distinct cortisol production pattern in contrast to the EDU group practicing standard moderate intensity physical activity. In the HIIT group, there was an increase in hair cortisol levels, while the EDU group showed a notable decrease. Remarkably, HIIT stimulated cortisol production without adversely impacting fear of childbirth and psychophysical condition during pregnancy. In fact, only the HIIT group showed a significant enhancement in mental health. Conclusion No links were discovered between hair cortisol levels and the severity of depressive symptoms, psychophysical well-being, or fear of childbirth. Hence, based on our research, employing cortisol levels during pregnancy as an indicator of negative stress or depression risk appears unwarranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Wilczyńska
- Department of Physical Culture, Gdańsk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Rita Santos-Rocha
- ESDRM Department of Physical Activity and Health, Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior, Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Santarém, Portugal
- CIPER Interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Human Performance, Faculty of Human Kinetics (FMH), University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Radosław Laskowski
- Department of Physical Culture, Gdańsk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Anna Szumilewicz
- Department of Physical Culture, Gdańsk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, Poland
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Khan NH, Shahnawaz MG, Patel A, Kashyap P, Singh CB. Resilience among involuntarily childless couples and individuals undergoing infertility treatment: a systematic review. HUM FERTIL 2023; 26:1562-1583. [PMID: 37439133 DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2023.2219400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Infertility is regarded as a highly stressful and challenging experience. However, the response to this unexpected moment varies from one individual to the other. The review explores research that studies resilience in the context of infertility and its treatment. The purpose was to study the protective and risk factors associated with resilience and to identify psychosocial factors that could play a crucial role in resilience among infertile couples and individuals who are seeking infertility treatment. Four major databases (PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Wiley Online Library) were searched with appropriate keywords. A total of 4101 articles were retrieved from the databases and after following various levels of screening 18 articles were finalized. These articles explored resilience and other psychosocial factors in couples/individuals seeking infertility treatment. The protective factors associated with resilience were quality of life, coping, social support, and posttraumatic growth. The risk factors associated with resilience were infertility-related stress, anxiety and depression. The unexpected diagnosis of infertility might be disturbing for many, still, it may not be extremely agonizing for some. Individuals who are encouraged to utilize their own resources and seek support are able to deal with stressors associated with infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Haseeb Khan
- Department of Psychology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Ansha Patel
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychology RNT Medical College, Paras & Shantiraj Hospitals, Psychological Clinic for Reproductive Health & Challenges, CMBS, Udaipur, FAIMER at MAHE, Karnataka, India
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Karunyam BV, Abdul Karim AK, Naina Mohamed I, Ugusman A, Mohamed WMY, Faizal AM, Abu MA, Kumar J. Infertility and cortisol: a systematic review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1147306. [PMID: 37455908 PMCID: PMC10344356 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1147306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Stress and infertility form a complex relationship. In line with this, various stress-related biological markers have been investigated in infertility. Methods This systematic review was performed using PRISMA guidelines (i) to report whether cortisol is highly present in infertile patients compared to fertile control; (ii) to report whether there is any significant difference in the cortisol level in infertile subjects that conceive and those that didn't at the end of assisted reproduction treatments. Original articles involving human (male and female) as subjects were extracted from four electronic databases, including the list of references from the published papers. Sixteen original full-length articles involving male (4), female (11), and both genders (1) were included. Results Findings from studies that compared the cortisol level between infertile and fertile subjects indicate that (i) Male: three studies reported elevated cortisol level in infertile patients and one found no significant difference; (ii) Female: four studies reported increased cortisol level in infertile subjects and three studies found no significant difference. Findings from studies that measured the cortisol level from infertile patients that conceived and those that didn't indicate that (i) Male: one study reported no significant difference; (ii) Female: one study reported elevated cortisol in infertile patients that conceived, whereas two studies reported increased cortisol in infertile patients that was unable to conceive. Five studies found no significant difference between the groups. Discussion In the present review we only included the cortisol value that was measured prior to stimulation or IVF treatment or during natural or spontaneous cycles, despite this, there are still variations in the sampling period, assessment techniques and patients' characteristics. Hence, at present, we are still unable to conclude that cortisol is significantly elevated in infertile patients. We warrant future studies to standardize the time of biological sample collection and other limitations that were addressed in the review to negate the unwanted influencing factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bheena Vyshali Karunyam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Abdul Kadir Abdul Karim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Isa Naina Mohamed
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Azizah Ugusman
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wael M. Y. Mohamed
- Basic Medical Science Department, Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt
| | - Ahmad Mohd Faizal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Azrai Abu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jaya Kumar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Chai Y, Li Q, Wang Y, Niu B, Chen H, Fan T, Ke X, Zou H. Cortisol dysregulation in anxiety infertile women and the influence on IVF treatment outcome. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1107765. [PMID: 37383394 PMCID: PMC10299854 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1107765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Dysregulation of the stress-regulatory hormone cortisol is associated with anxiety, but its potential impact on infertile women and in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment remains unclear. This prospective cross-sectional study aimed at evaluating the dysregulation of cortisol and its correlation to anxiety in infertile women. The influence of stress on IVF outcomes was also investigated. Methods A point-of-care test was used for the measurement of morning serum cortisol in 110 infertile women and 112 age-matching healthy individuals. A Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) was used for the anxiety assessment of infertile women, and 109 of them underwent IVF treatment starting with the GnRH-antagonist protocol. If clinical pregnancy was not achieved, more IVF cycles were conducted with adjusted protocols until the patients got pregnant or gave up. Results Higher morning serum cortisol level was identified for infertile patients, especially for the elder. Women with no anxiety showed significant differences in cortisol levels, monthly income, and BMI compared with those with severe anxiety. A strong correlation was found between the morning cortisol level and the SAS score. When the cutoff value is 22.25 μg/dL, cortisol concentration could predict the onset of anxiety with high accuracy (95.45%) among infertile women. After IVF treatments, women with high SAS scores (>50) or cortisol levels (>22.25 μg/dL) demonstrated a lower rate of pregnancy (8.0%-10.3%) and more IVF cycles, although the impact of anxiety was not affirmative. Conclusion Hypersecretion of cortisol related to anxiety was prevalent among infertile women, but the influence of anxiety on multi-cycle IVF treatment was not affirmative due to the complicated treatment procedures. This study suggested that the assessment of psychological disorders and stress hormone dysregulation should not be overlooked. An anxiety questionnaire and rapid cortisol test might be included in the treatment protocol to provide better medical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujuan Chai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Qihang Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Management, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Ben Niu
- Department of Management, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Huijia Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tingxuan Fan
- Greater Bay Area International Institute for Innovation, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiatong Ke
- Research Department III, Shenzhen Health Development Research and Data Management Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Heng Zou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Tavousi SA, Behjati M, Milajerdi A, Mohammadi AH. Psychological assessment in infertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Psychol 2022; 13:961722. [PMID: 36389481 PMCID: PMC9650266 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.961722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a prevalent worldwide health issue and is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a global health problem. Considering the importance of the psychological dimensions of infertility, various measurement tools have been used to measure the variables involved in infertility, of which the most widely used are the following: the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL90), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form (STAI), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). Therefore, given the problems of infertile people in terms of psychological dimensions, the aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the psychological assessment score in infertility. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, we applied an online database with no time restriction. Data were gathered using a random-effect model to estimate the standard mean difference (SMD) for the evaluation of the strength of association analyses. Our data demonstrated a significant higher SCL90 score (CISCL90: 0.96, 0.34–1.57, heterogeneity: 94%, pheterogeneity < 0.001), and a non-significant higher DASS score (CIAnxiety: 0.82, -0.14 to 1.79; CIDepression: 0.8, -0.28 to 1.87; and CIStress: 0.82, -0.24 to 1.88). It is essential to seek for strategies to help infertile patients overcome their infertility-related psychological problems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohaddeseh Behjati
- Cellular, Molecular and Genetics Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Alireza Milajerdi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Mohammadi
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
- *Correspondence: Amir Hossein Mohammadi,
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Infertility Stress, Cortisol, Coping, and Quality of Life in U.S. Women Who Undergo Infertility Treatments. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2021; 50:275-288. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jogn.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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