The MindBody Program

The MindBody Program is modeled after the Behavioral Medicine Infertility Program developed by Dr. Alice Domar at Harvard’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and it is designed to reduce the physical and emotional distress and isolation associated with infertility and infertility treatment.

Research
Studies have shown that women who experience infertility have heightened levels of depression, anxiety, frustration, isolation and anger.

Although some scientists believe that these negative emotions may prevent conception, it seems more likely that these feelings are the result, not the cause of infertility. In either case, a reduction in stress and tension clearly is beneficial for couples whether treatment is successful or not. Research has demonstrated that participants in the Harvard-Beth Israel Mind Body Infertility Program experience significant improvements in depression, anxiety, anger, confusion and fatigue following completion of the program.

The relationship between participation in the program and subsequent conception is less clear. According to research done by Dr. Alice Domar, approximately 44% of the participants conceive within six months of completing the Harvard program. It is not known if this conception rate is due to the direct influence of the program, a coincidence, or whether there is an indirect relationship, i.e., it is possible that participants feel more able to attempt high-tech treatments once they learn relaxation and coping techniques.

Our Mind-Body participants have enjoyed a statistically significant increase in pregnancy rates over those who did not participate in the MindBody program.

All patients at SRM are encouraged to participate prior to or during any infertility treatment

Components
The program includes:

• Elicitation of the relaxation response, a physical state of deep rest that changes the physical and emotional responses to stress (e.g., decrease in the heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension.)
• Cognitive-behavioral strategies to enhance coping skills
• Yoga and stretching exercises
• Nutrition management
• Social support, including effective communication and self-care with those who have been successful, failed or are actively trying infertility therapy.

Each session in the 10 week program includes 30 minutes of sharing and support time, a 20 minute relaxation exercise, pair and group discussion of progress and use of new skills, a lecture and group exercise.

Goals
You will be able to:

• Increase your sense of control and well-being.
• Reduce/manage physical symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, headache or abdominal pain
• Examine factors or situations-lifestyles, diet, stress, or physical tension that directly affect health
• Develop further understanding of medical treatment
• Develop skills to ease the treatment process

Who Would Benefit

• Couples who are undergoing active treatment, past failed treatment or successful treatment for infertility.
• All women having difficulty conceiving, including those currently enrolled in IVF or other Assisted Reproductive Technologies at SRM or other fertility practices in the Puget Sound region.
• Couples who are not currently active patients of SRM. If you are not currently receiving treatment at SRM, a 30 minute session with one of our group facilitators is required. This appointment serves to introduce non-SRM patients to the program and to help determine whether or not the group setting is appropriate for you. It is also an opportunity to discuss you physical and emotional symptoms with the facilitator and to set some health care goals.

Revised September 26, 2006