Online Behavioral Activation Therapy on Depression and Alexithymia in Infertile Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown

Background & Aims:

In light of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, it is important to have mental health interventions that are easily integrated during crises. However, the present study has been conducted on the effectiveness of group behavioral activation therapy (BAT) on depression and alexithymia in depressive infertile women during the COVID-19 lockdown.

In this quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design with a control group, 28 women undergoing infertility care with depressive disorders were selected following initial clinical evaluations and research conditions. They were randomly divided into the BAT (n = 14), and control (n = 14) groups. The experimental group received six sessions of weekly treatment (1.5 hours) based on BAT. All the participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Alexithymia Scale, in the pre-test and post-test stages.

The results revealed that BA-based weekly treatment reduced depression and alexithymia among women undergoing infertility care during the COVID-19 lockdown (P > 0.05).

Overall, an online BA program might be proven to be useful during crises such as a pandemic. In this study, BA treatment had a positive impact on depression and alexithymia among women receiving infertility treatment during the COVID-19 lockdown.