A systematic review and meta-analysis of nonpharmacological adjuvant interventions for patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatment.
BACKGROUND
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is not always successful, yet places a high psychological burden on individuals.


OBJECTIVES
To assess whether nonpharmacological adjuvant interventions could improve outcomes among patients receiving ART.


SEARCH STRATEGY
Electronic databases were searched from inception to March 2017, using keywords such as "fertility treatment," "emotional distress," and "clinical pregnancy."


SELECTION CRITERIA
Reports of randomized controlled trials investigating the impact of nonpharmacological interventions on emotional disorders and the pregnancy rate in patients receiving ART published in any language were included.


DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Data were extracted into a predesigned form. Psychological ratings were pooled using standardized mean differences (SMDs). Heterogeneity was assessed. The primary outcome measures were psychological ratings at baseline and after intervention.


MAIN RESULTS
Overall, 34 randomized controlled trials, with a total of 7213 patients, met the inclusion criteria. Nonpharmacological interventions reduced anxiety when compared with control interventions (SMD 0.25, 95% confidence interval 0.08-0.42; I2 =85%), but they had no significant effects on depression and infertility distress.


CONCLUSIONS
Nonpharmacological interventions could improve the psychological outcomes of patients undergoing ART treatment.
['Chu|Kun|K|', 'Zhang|Qing|Q|', 'Han|Hedong|H|', 'Xu|Chen|C|', 'Pang|Wenjuan|W|', 'Ma|Yan|Y|', 'Sun|Ningxia|N|', 'Li|Wen|W|']
D001007:Anxiety D003863:Depression D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007246:Infertility D011247:Pregnancy D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
Assisted reproductive technology Nonpharmacological interventions Emotional disorders Infertility Clinical pregnancy rate