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Hypnosis can double
the success of IVF
treatment, researchers
have claimed.
A team from Soroka
University, Israel,
found 28% of women
in the group who
were hypnotised
became pregnant,
compared with 14%
of those who were
not.
The study of 185
women was presented
to the European
Society of Human
Reproduction and
Embryology conference
in Berlin.
But other experts
said the research
failed to account
for key differences
between the two
groups.
The Israeli researchers
were looking to
see if hypnosis
could make the embryo
transfer stage of
IVF more successful.
During this stage,
the embryo is transferred
into the womb. However,
if the womb is contracting,
it can affect the
chances of the transplant
being a success.
It was hoped hypnotherapy
could help women
relax and therefore
improve the chances
of success.
Stress
Women undergoing
IVF were assessed
to see if they were
suitable to be hypnotised.
Eighty-nine women
were then given
hypnosis while their
embryos were implanted.
Some underwent more
than one cycle of
IVF treatment. Ninety-six
other women underwent
embryo transfers
without hypnosis.
All received one
cycle each.
Dr Eliahu Levitas,
who led the research,
told the conference:
"Embryo transfer
is known to be a
stressful time for
patients, and it
may be that the
procedure is the
peak of their stress
in IVF.
"Hypnosis
may be related to
a tranquilising
effect.
"Performing
embryo transfer
under hypnosis may
significantly contribute
to an increased
clinical pregnancy
rate."
But experts said
the study failed
to take into account
key differences
between the groups
which would have
a major influence
on their chances
of conceiving. On
average, women in
the non-hypnosis
group had been trying
to conceive for
7.4 years, compared
with 4.7 years for
those who did receive
hypnosis.
Dr Francois Shenfield,
of University College
London Hospital,
UK, said: "One
of the very important
confounding factors
in this field is
the duration of
infertility.
"The longer
a couple have been
trying to conceive,
the less likely
they are to conceive
spontaneously, and
with technical help."
The longer a couple
have been trying
to conceive, the
less likely they
are to conceive.
Dr Francoise Shenfield
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