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.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: The study goal was to develop and test the effectiveness of a brief online education and support program for female infertilitypatients. 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.
Authors: Ann Cranney; Annette M O'Connor; Mary J Jacobsen; Peter Tugwell; Jonathan D Adachi; Daylily S Ooi; Lisa Waldegger; Rose Goldstein; George A Wells Journal: Patient Educ Couns Date: 2002-07
Authors: Tara M Cousineau; Traci C Green; Evelyn A Corsini; Thea Barnard; Angel R Seibring; Alice D Domar Journal: Fertil Steril Date: 2006-05-04 Impact factor: 7.329
Authors: Tara M Cousineau; Sarah E Lord; Angel R Seibring; Evelyn A Corsini; Jessie C Viders; Shaheen R Lakhani Journal: Fertil Steril Date: 2004-03 Impact factor: 7.329
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Authors: Liesje Donkin; Helen Christensen; Sharon L Naismith; Bruce Neal; Ian B Hickie; Nick Glozier Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2011-08-05 Impact factor: 5.428