title: The effect of medical clowning on pregnancy rates after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.
abstract: This experimental prospective quasi-randomized study examining the impact of a medical clowning encounter after embryo transfer (ET) after in vitro fertilization (IVF) found that the pregnancy rate in the intervention group was 36.4%, compared with 20.2% in the control group (adjusted odds ratio, 2.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.36-5.24). Medical clowning as an adjunct to IVF-ET may have a beneficial effect on pregnancy rates and deserves further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Infertility and IVF unit, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zrifin, Israel. ivfunitdoc@asaf.health.gov.il
authors.forename: Shevach
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Friedler
authors.forename: Saralee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Glasser
authors.forename: Liat
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Azani
authors.forename: Laurence S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Freedman
authors.forename: Arie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raziel
authors.forename: Dvora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Strassburger
authors.forename: Raphael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ron-El
authors.forename: Liat
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lerner-Geva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D027641:Laughter Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014925:Wit and Humor as Topic / Q000523:psychology*