RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRE-TREATMENT HABITUAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SUCCESS OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTION

Abstract

Introduction. The increasing incidence of infertility, the stagnation of success rates of its treatments, and the reasons for success vs. failure are current research topics both from psychosocial and lifestyle point of view. Objective. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of pre-treatment physical activity (PA) on the level of infertility-related distress and on outcome measures in women undergoing assisted reproductive therapy (ART). Methods. A prospective observational cohort study was carried out involving 45 female patients with infertility diagnosis in a university hospital-based fertility centre during March – July 2017 with the follow up of outcome measures in May 2018. Standardized psychological questionnaires and pre-treatment PA habits were administrated. Results. 60% of the women reported regular physical activity. 73.3% self-reported normal mood state (average 5.0±4.1) with BDI-13 and 91.1% self-reported normal level of distress (average 2.3±2,1) with GHQ-12. Moderately high stress by social concern (42.7±8.8) and very high stress level by sexual (39.2±6.5) and by relationship concern (48.4±9.1) of FPI was found. Significant difference between active and inactive group was described for PICS Self Regulating System (p= .034). Significant relationship between pre-treatment PA and successful pregnancy (p=.036) was found. Conclusions. Infertility specific scales provide more appropriate description on mental status of ART patients than general scales. Pre-treatment PA could positively affect success of ART. However, for more impressive results, detailed assessment of physical activity, increased number of participants, and further examinations are needed.

Keywords

• physical activity, assisted reproduction, mental health, infertility-related stress, outcome measures.