A Single-Group Pilot Study of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Indian Women Undergoing IVF

To examine the feasibility and acceptability of a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) intervention for Indian women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), and to explore patterns of change in psychological outcomes within a socio-cultural context. Thirty women undergoing IVF participated in a single-group pre-post-follow-up feasibility pilot study. Participants received eight weekly individual MBCT sessions. The outcomes assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and two-month follow-up included self-esteem (RSES), self-efficacy (GSE), coping strategies (COMPI), and fertility-related quality of life (FertiQoL). Repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted for exploratory purposes. The high retention (83.3%) and assessment completion (>98%) supported feasibility. Exploratory analyses showed significant changes over time across outcomes (e.g., self-esteem: F(1.16, 33.65) =82.40, p < .001, η2=.74), with most improvements maintained at follow-up. MBCT appears feasible and acceptable for women undergoing IVF. Findings inform outcome selection and study design, within socio-cultural contexts, for future randomized controlled trials.