Table 2 Characteristics of included studies
First author, year | Region | Participants (n) I: intervention C: control (final analysis) | RM | Blinding | AC | Intervention type | Comparison | No. of centers | Frequency and duration | Intervention completion rate (%) | Outcomes of interest | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chen, 2018 [12] | Asia | I: 90 (86) C: 90 (90) | NR | NR | Sealed opaque envelopes | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy | TAU | Single center | Couples: 100 min/session 1 session/week 3–4 weeks Group: 90 min/session 1 session/week 3–4 weeks | 96 | Pregnancy rates at 5 weeks | 48.9% in control group and 64% in intervention group (p = 0.044) |
Yang et al., 2015 [13] | Asia | I: 102 (102) C: 98 (98) | NR | NR | Random numbers table | Electroacup-uncture | TAU | Single center | 30 min/session 5–6 sessions/week Until the day of oocytes retrieval | 100 | Numbers of retrieved oocytes Fertilization rate Cleavage rate High quality embryo rate Clinical pregnancy tare OHSS incidence rate Cycle cancellation rate Early abortion rate SCF in the serum and follicular fluid Days and dosages of Gn administration | Clinical pregnancy rate and SCF in the serum and follicular fluid significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) Days and dosages of Gn administration significantly lower in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Shen et al., 2022 [14] | Asia | I: 34 (32) C: 34 (33) | Random numbers table | Single (Investi-gators and data analysts) | Sealed opaque envelopes | Electroacup-uncture | TAU | Single center | 60 min/session 3 sessions/week 3 months | 96 | Endometrial thickness and growth HCG positive rate Clinical pregnancy rate Embryo implantation rate Live-birth rate | The proportion of type A endometrium on the embryo transfer day was higher in intervention group (p < 0.01) HCG positive rate, clinical pregnancy rate, embryo implantation rate, and live-birth rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.01) |
Hong et al., 2015 [15] | Asia | I: 53 (50) C: 56 (54) | NR | NR | No | Electroacup-uncture | TAU | Single center | 30 min/session 1 session/day From the day of Gn administration to the embryo transfer day | 95 | Cycle cancellation rate OHSS incidence rate Numbers of retrieved oocytes Fertilization rate High quality embryo rate Clinical pregnancy rate Abortion rate | Cycle cancellation rate and OHSS incidence rate significantly lower in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Zhong et al., 2023 [16] | Asia | I: 48 (46) C: 48 (48) | NR | NR | Random numbers table | Electroacup-uncture | TAU | Single center | 20 min/session 2–3 sessions/week 12 weeks | 98 | AFC Number of MII oocytes Number of high quality embryos HCG positive rate Clinical pregnancy rate | AFC, number of MII oocytes, number of high quality embryos, and HCG positive rate significantly higher in international group (p < 0.05) |
Hong et al., 2014 [17] | Asia | I: 53 (50) C: 56 (54) | NR | NR | No | Electroacup-uncture | TAU | Single center | 30 min/session From the day of Gn administration to the embryo transfer day | 95 | Serum E2 levels during stimulation Cycle cancellation rate OHSS incidence rate Numbers of retrieved oocytes Fertilization rate High quality embryo rate Clinical pregnancy rate Abortion rate | Serum E2 followed similar curves in both groups Serum E2 levels on the day of OPU and ET, cycle cancellation rate, and OHSS incidence rate significantly lower in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Mei et al., 2023 [18] | Asia | I: 54 (54) C: 54 (54) | No | NR | Random numbers table | Self-weight management | TAU | Single center | NR | 100 | Days and dosages of Gn administration Numbers of retrieved oocytes Fertilization rate High quality embryo rate Embryo implantation rate Clinical pregnancy rate | Days and dosages of Gn administration significantly lower in intervention group (p < 0.05) Numbers of retrieved oocytes, fertilization rate, high quality embryo rate, embryo implantation rate, and clinical pregnancy rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Hong et al., 2014 [19] | Asia | I: 150 (150) C: 150 (150) | Method NR | NR | Random numbers table | Emotional management | TAU | Single center | NR | 100 | Clinical pregnancy rate Abortion rate | Clinical pregnancy rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) Abortion rate significantly lower in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Zheng et al., 2012 [20] | Asia | I: 50 (50) C: 50 (50) | NR | NR | No | Information support | TAU | Single center | NR | 100 | Clinical pregnancy rate | No significant difference between two groups (p > 0.05) |
Chen et al., 2020 [21] | Asia | I: 39 (39) C: 39 (39) | NR | NR | Random numbers table | IKAP model-based health education | TAU | Single center | ≥ 60 min/session ≥ 2 sessions/week | 100 | Days and dosages of Gn administration Numbers of retrieved oocytes Fertilization rate Cleavage rate Clinical pregnancy rate | Clinical pregnancy rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Shi et al., 2021 [22] | Asia | I: 70 (70) C: 70 (70) | NR | NR | No | Internet + health education | TAU | Single center | 1 session/week 6 weeks | 100 | Clinical pregnancy rate | Clinical pregnancy rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Xia et al., 2020 [23] | Asia | I: 40 (40) C: 40 (40) | Method NR | NR | NR | Wechat-based health education | TAU | Single center | 6 months | 100 | High quality embryo rate Clinical pregnancy rate Live-birth rate | High quality embryo rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live-birth rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Xu et al., 2020 [24] | Asia | I: 43 (43) C: 43 (43) | NR | NR | Random numbers table | Solution- focused brief therapy | TAU | Single center | 30–50 min/session ≥ 4 sessions | 100 | Numbers of retrieved oocytes High quality embryo rate Numbers of embryos Biochemical pregnancy rate Clinical pregnancy rate Abortion rate | Abortion rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Liu et al., 2023 [25] | Asia | I: 43 (43) C: 43 (43) | NR | NR | Method NR | Staged health education | TAU | Single center | NR | 100 | Numbers of embryos High quality embryo rate Cycle cancellation rate Clinical pregnancy rate Early abortion rate | No significant difference between two groups (p > 0.05) |
Zhu, 2012 [26] | Asia | I: 30 (27) C: 30 (24) | NR | NR | Method NR | Transcutanc-lus electrical- acupoint stimulation | TAU | Single center | 30 min/session | 85 | Fertilization rate Cleavage rate High quality embryo rate Cycle cancellation rate Embryo implantation rate Clinical pregnancy rate | Embryo implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Xie, 2023 [27] | Asia | I: 56 (52) C: 56 (53) | No | NR | No | Solution-focused brief therapy | TAU | Single center | 30 min/session 5 sessions | 94 | Clinical pregnancy rate | No significant difference between two groups (p > 0.05) |
Liao et al., 2022 [28] | Asia | I: 63 (60) C: 63 (61) | NR | NR | Random numbers table | Mandala painting therapy | TAU | Single center | 30 min/session 5 sessions/week 4 weeks | 96 | Clinical pregnancy rate | No significant difference between two groups (p > 0.05) |
Zhou, 2015 [29] | Asia | I: 40 (31) C: 40 (28) | NR | NR | Method NR | Pelvic floor muscle massage | TAU | Single center | NR | 74 | Numbers of retrieved oocytes Numbers of high quality embryos Fertilization rate Cleavage rate Embryo implantation rate Cycle cancellation rate Biochemical pregnancy rate Clinical pregnancy rate | Numbers of retrieved oocytes, numbers of high quality embryos, clinical pregnancy rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Ma et al., 2022 [30] | Asia | I: 105 (97) C: 102 (97) | No | NR | Random numbers table | Situational experiential health education | TAU | Single center | 30 min/session | 94 | Clinical pregnancy rate | No significant difference between two groups (p > 0.05) |
Zhou, 2023 [31] | Asia | I: 67 (66) C: 67 (64) | NR | NR | No | Emotional freedom techniques | TAU | Single center | 10–15 min/session 2 sessions/day | 97 | Numbers of retrieved oocytes Fertilization rate Cleavage rate High quality embryo rate Clinical pregnancy rate Delivery outcome | High quality embryo rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Wang et al., 2005 [32] | Asia | I: 188 (188) C: 162 (162) | NR | NR | No | Music therapy | TAU | Single center | NR | 100 | Clinical pregnancy rate | Clinical pregnancy rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Zhang et al., 2020 [33] | Asia | I: 45 (45) C: 45 (45) | NR | NR | Random numbers table | Whole- process digital health education | TAU | Single center | NR | 100 | Numbers of retrieved oocytes High quality embryo rate Embryo implantation rate Clinical pregnancy rate | High quality embryo rate, embryo implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Wang et al., 2019 [34] | Asia | I: 99 (99) C: 99 (97) | NR | NR | Method NR | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy | TAU | Single center | 30–45 min/session 1 session/week 4 weeks | 99 | Clinical pregnancy rate | Clinical pregnancy rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Li et al., 2012 [35] | Asia | I: 35 (35) C: 128 (128) | NR | NR | NR | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy | TAU | Single center | NR | 100 | Fertilization rate Clinical pregnancy rate | No significant difference between two groups (p > 0.05) |
Zhu et al., 2010 [36] | Asia | I: 50 (42) C: 50 (47) | NR | NR | Random numbers table | Group psychothera-py | TAU | Single center | 90–120 min/session 2 sessions/week 6 sessions | 89 | Clinical pregnancy rate | No significant difference between two groups (p > 0.05) |
Zhu et al., 2023 [37] | Asia | I: 85 (79) C: 85 (78) | No | NR | No | WeChat node health education | TAU | Single center | NR | 92 | Clinical pregnancy rate | Clinical pregnancy rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Wang et al., 2016 [38] | Asia | I: 30 (30) C: 30 (30) | NR | NR | Random numbers table | Warm acupuncture | TAU | Single center | 30 min/session | 100 | Clinical pregnancy rate | Clinical pregnancy rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Dong et al., 2018 [39] | Asia | I: 50 (47) C: 50 (46) | No | NR | Method NR | Music therapy | TAU | Single center | 30 min/session 2 sessions/week | 93 | Numbers of embryos High quality embryo rate Clinical pregnancy rate | High quality embryo rate, and clinical pregnancy rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Geng et al., 2018 [40] | Asia | I: 43 (43) C: 43 (43) | NR | NR | NR | Psychologic-al intervention | TAU | Single center | NR | 100 | Clinical pregnancy rate | Clinical pregnancy rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Zhang, 2018 [41] | Asia | I: 40 (40) C: 40 (40) | No | No | No | Psychologic-al counseling | TAU | Single center | 5–8 sessions | 100 | Biochemical pregnancy rate Clinical pregnancy rate | Biochemical pregnancy rate significantly lower in intervention group (p < 0.05) Clinical pregnancy rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Lars et al., 2006 [42] | Europe | I: 100 (95) C: 100 (87) | NR | NR | Sealed opaque envelopes | Acupuncture | TAU | Single center | 25 min/session 2 sessions | 91 | Positive pregnancy test Clinical pregnancy Early pregnancy loss Ongoing pregnancy/delivery Implantation rate | Positive pregnancy test, clinical pregnancy, and ongoing pregnancy/ delivery significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Purcell et al., 2007 [43] | North America | I: 82 (82) C: 82 (82) | NR | NR | Sealed opaque envelopes | Bed rest after embryo transfer | TAU | Single center | 30 min/session | 100 | Clinical pregnancy rate Ongoing pregnancy rate | No significant difference between two groups (p > 0.05) |
Halpern et al., 2023 [5] | South America | I: 327 (222) C: 109 (74) | NR | NR | Method NR | Beetroot, watermelon and ginger juice supplementa-tion | TAU | Single center | From the day of embryo transfer until the day of pregnancy test | 68 | Implantation rate Pregnancy rate Miscarriage rate | Implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were significantly higher in the Supplementation compared to the Control group (p < 0.05) |
Gorayeb et al., 2012 [44] | South America | I: 161 (93) C: 124 (95) | NR | NR | Method NR | Brief cognitive behavioral intervention | TAU | Single center | NR | 66 | Clinical pregnancy rate | Clinical pregnancy rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Zhang et al., 2023 [45] | Asia | I: 65 (65) C: 65 (65) | NR | NR | Random numbers table | Comprehens-ive nursing intervention | TAU | Single center | NR | 100 | Blastocyst rate Clinical pregnancy rate | Clinical pregnancy rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Aba et al., 2017 [6] | Asia | I: 100 (89) C: 100 (97) | NR | Single (Research objects) | Computer- generated random numbers | Music therapy | TAU | Single center | 28 min/session 2 sessions | 93 | Clinical pregnancy rate | No significant difference between two groups (p > 0.05) |
Guven et al., 2020 [46] | Asia | I: 38 (36) C: 38 (36) | NR | NR | Method NR | Acupuncture | TAU | Single center | 30 min/session 3 sessions | 95 | Beta HCG positivity rate Clinical pregnancy rate Ongoing pregnancy rate Live birth rate | Beta HCG positivity rate, clinical pregnancy rate, ongoing pregnancy rate, and live birth rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Chan et al., 2006 [47] | Asia | I: 101 (65) C: 126 (108) | NR | NR | Drawing lots | The Eastern Body-Mind-Spirit intervention | TAU | Single center | 180 min/session 4 sessions/week 16 sessions | 76 | Pregnancy rate Implantation rate Multiple pregnancy rate | No significant difference between two groups (p > 0.05) |
Wu et al., 2022 [48] | Asia | I: 43 (40) C: 44 (43) | NR | Single (Outcome assessors, statisticians) | Method NR | Acupuncture | TAU | Single center | 30 min/session | 95 | Days and dosages of Gn administration Clinical pregnancy rate Live birth rate | Days and dosages of Gn administration significantly lower in intervention group (p < 0.05) Clinical pregnancy rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Domar et al., 2015 [7] | North America | I: 89 (87) C: 77 (71) | Method NR | Single (Outcome assessors) | Random numbers table | Cognitive coping and relaxation intervention | TAU | Single center | NR | 95 | Clinical pregnancy rate | No significant difference between two groups (p > 0.05) |
Paulus et al., 2002 [49] | Europe | I: 80 (80) C: 80 (80) | NR | NR | Computer- generated random numbers | Acupuncture | TAU | Single center | 25 min/session 2 sessions | 100 | Clinical pregnancy rate | Clinical pregnancy rate significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05) |
Rasoulzadeh Bidgoli et al., 2020 [50] | Asia | I: 40 (29) C: 40 (31) | NR | No | Flip a coin | Collaborativ-e infertility counseling | TAU | Single center | 60 min/session 5 sessions | 75 | Clinical pregnancy rate | No significant difference between two groups (p > 0.05) |
Ockhuijsen et al., 2014 [51] | Europe | I: 127 (92) C: 124 (90) | NR | NR | Random numbers table | Positive reappraisal coping intervention | TAU | Single center | 2 sessions | 73 | Clinical pregnancy rate Clinical pregnancy with heartbeat | No significant difference between two groups (p > 0.05) |