The Effect of Music and Mandala Activity on Stress and Stress-Coping Levels of Infertile Women Who Had an Embryo Transfer: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mandala activity combined with two different types of music on the stress and stress-coping levels of infertile women who recently underwent an embryo transfer. The research was conducted as a single-blind randomized controlled trial between July 1, 2021, and July 31, 2022, with a total of 120 infertile women at an infertility clinic in Turkey. Data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form, the COMPI Fertility Problem Stress Scales (COMPI-FPSS), and the COMPI Coping Strategy Scales (COMPI-CSS). Participants in the two intervention groups performed a mandala activity immediately after embryo transfer, accompanied by either meditation music or music of their choice, until one day before the Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (BetaHcg) test. Stress and coping levels were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS. Results showed that infertility-related stress levels significantly decreased and stress-coping abilities significantly improved among women in the intervention groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The group performing mandala activity with meditation music exhibited the most pronounced improvements. This study concludes that mandala activity, especially when combined with meditation music, has positive effects on stress and stress-coping among infertile women undergoing embryo transfer.