title: Randomized trial of harp therapy during in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated whether harp therapy reduces levels of stress and improves clinical outcomes in patients undergoing embryo transfer.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective randomized trial enrolled 181 women undergoing embryo transfer, who were randomized to harp therapy during embryo transfer or standard treatment. Patients underwent standardized psychological testing and physiologic assessment of stress.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in a reproductive medicine practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant differences were found in the heart and respiratory rates, nor was there a significant difference in event-based anxiety at baseline. Harp therapy had a significantly larger decrease in state anxiety from pre- to post-embryo transfer. Clinical pregnancy was 53% versus 48% for the harp therapy and standard treatment groups, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Harp therapy decreases state, or event-based, anxiety, significantly lowering state scores posttransfer and having a positive effect on acute levels of stress. There was an increased pregnancy rate, but larger sample sizes are needed to evaluate whether harp therapy has an effect on clinical outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Abington Reproductive Medicine, Abington Memorial Hospital, Abington, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Erin M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nichols
authors.forename: Steve G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Somkuti
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sobel
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Braverman
authors.forename: Larry I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Barmat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D009147:Music Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: embryo transfer; in vitro fertilization; music therapy; stress