Guided imagery ; In vitro fertilization ; Stress ; Anxiety
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify effects of guided imagery on stress including cognitive, affective,
marital and social, and anxiety among women receiving in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods: Data were collected
between April, 21 and June, 17, 2008. The participants in this study were 57 women (26 for the experimental group,
31 for the control group) receiving IVF for primary or secondary infertility in one of the outpatient infertility centers
in Seoul. The guided imagery (Suk, 2001) was provided through audio CD to the experimental group by themselves
8 minutes per day for 2 weeks. Data were analyzed by SPSS 12.0 windows program. Results: After guided imagery,
the experimental group showed significantly lower affective stress and total stress scores. Anxiety scores increased
significantly in the control group, but not in the experimental group after treatment. Conclusion: The findings suggest
that guided imagery is an effective nursing intervention for reducing stress especially affective stress and anxiety
among infertile women receiving IVF in outpatient infertility center.