Online psychoeducational support for infertile women: a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
The study goal was to develop and test the effectiveness of a brief online education and support program for female infertility patients.


METHODS
A randomized-controlled trial was conducted. Using a Solomon-four group design, 190 female patients were recruited from three US fertility centers and were randomized into two experimental and two no-treatment control groups. The psychological outcomes assessed included infertility distress, infertility self-efficacy, decisional conflict, marital cohesion and coping style. Program dosage and satisfaction were also assessed at four weeks follow-up.


RESULTS
Women exposed to the online program significantly improved in the area of social concerns (P = 0.038) related to infertility distress, and felt more informed about a medical decision with which they were contending (P = 0.037). Trends were observed for decreased global stress(P = 0.10), sexual concerns (P = 0.059), distress related to child-free living (P = 0.063), increased infertility self-efficacy (P = 0.067) and decision making clarity (P = 0.079). A dosage response was observed in the experimental groups for women who spent >60 min online for decreased global stress (P = 0.028) and increased self efficacy (P = 0.024).


CONCLUSIONS
This evidence-based eHealth program for women experiencing infertility suggests that a web-based patient education intervention can have beneficial effects in several psychological domains and may be a cost effective resource for fertility practices.
Cousineau
Tara M
TM
Domar Center for Mind-Body Health, Boston IVF, Inc. 130 Second Avenue Waltham, MA 02451, USA. cousineau@domarcenter.com
Green
Traci C
TC
Corsini
Evelyn
E
Seibring
A
A
Showstack
Marianne T
MT
Applegarth
Linda
L
Davidson
Marie
M
Perloe
Mark
M
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D020407:Internet; D009862:Online Systems; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012944:Social Support