The Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Anxiety and Depression in Iranian Infertile Women: A Systematic and Meta-Analytical Review
Open accessAbstract
Context: The prevalence of infertility, as one of the most unpleasant experiences, is approximately 13.2% in Iran. It can affect the quality of life in infertile people through mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Objectives: This systematic review was carried out to assess the effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) on anxiety and depression of infertile women in Iran. Data Sources: All articles published in English and Persian until 20 February 2019 in databases, including Magiran, Iranmedex, SID, Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, Google Scholar, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Sciences were searched. Study Selection: All randomized controlled clinical trials conducted in Iran on the effect of CBT on anxiety and depression were studied. In the selected studies, participants were Iranian infertile women. The used intervention was the application of CBT, the control group had received only routine care, and the outcomes were anxiety and depression. Data Extraction: Two authors separately investigated the acceptability and quality of articles, and any disagreement was solved through consensus and a third opinion. Results: Six clinical trials with 321 infertile women entered the systematic review. The meta-analysis of six studies showed that the mean depression and anxiety score in the CBT group was lower than the routine care group, which was significant only for anxiety. Conclusions: The results indicated the effectiveness of CBT intervention in reducing anxiety and depression in infertile women. However, the between-group difference was not significant in terms of depression. Convenience sampling and small sample size in the selected studies reduced the generalizability of research findings. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct clinical trials with larger sample size and accurate methodology to obtain more generalizable results.
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One existing systematic review investigated anxiety and depression among infertile couples.
“One of these systematic reviews investigated anxiety and depression [68]”
From Psychosocial interventions for improving marital intimacy, sexual satisfaction, and quality of life of women and couples with infertility problems in low and middle-income countries: Systematic review protocol (2025) · cites this paper as [68]
The Discussion identifies this paper as a systematic review and meta-analysis of anxiety and depression outcomes. However, the Study Selection section specifies that its participants were Iranian infertile women, not infertile couples; it examined the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy rather than anxiety and depression generally. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.87)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThree existing systematic reviews that investigated psychosocial interventions among infertile couples were retrieved.
“To ensure this systematic review is not duplicating existing reviews, searches were conducted in relevant databases, and three existing systematic reviews that investigated psychosocial interventions among infertile couples were retrieved [66–68].”
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- Authors
- Golshani, F., Mirghafourvand, M., Hasanpour, S., & Seiiedi Biarag, L.
- Affiliations
- Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (IR)
- ORCID
- Hasanpour, Shirin
- Venue
- Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
- Publisher
- Brieflands
- Published
- 2020-02-26
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 1
- ISSN
- 1735-8639 (ISSN-L)
- 1735-9287
- OpenAlex
- W3008712730
- Cited by
- 21
- References
- 50
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2
- FWCI
- 2.65
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by-nc
- Locations
- Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Reproductive Health and Technologies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
- Keywords
- cognitive behavioral therapy, infertility, anxiety, depression, infertile women, mental health, psychological distress, Iranian women
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