Effectiveness of a Spousal Support Program in Improving the Quality of Life of Male Patients Undergoing Infertility Treatment: A Pilot Study.
Kyoko Asazawa, Mina Jitsuzaki, Akiko Mori and 2 others
PMID 32039277WHAT IT FOUND
In 31 men undergoing infertility treatment, total fertility quality of life did not significantly change after a 4-week spousal support program.
Emotional and relational sub-scale scores rose.
Key findings
01The total fertility quality of life score, distress score, and spousal support score did not change significantly from pre-test to post-test.
02The emotional and relational sub-scales of fertility quality of life were significantly higher after the program than before it.
03In the high-age group, total quality of life and distress scores showed significant pre-test to post-test differences.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The study was a pilot before-and-after study with no control group, so change over time, clinic contact, or natural course could explain the results. Only 31 men were analysed, and subgroup tests were used because the number of participants was small. The total quality of life score was not significant, so the emotional and relational sub-scale increases are secondary findings. The high-age group finding came from a subgroup analysis after splitting participants at the study average age. The spousal support score did not change, although the relational QoL sub-scale did. This mismatch weakens the claim that the program improved actual spousal support. Participants were Japanese-speaking men with male-factor infertility from one clinic, and men with sexual dysfunction or azoospermia were excluded. Seven of 38 recruited men dropped out.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the emotional and relational sub-scale increases as proof the program improves overall quality of life. The total quality of life score did not change significantly, there was no control group, and the older subgroup finding came from a small pilot.