Music for Anxiety in Embryo Transfers (MUSIC-ET)

Effect of Music During an Embryo Transfer on the Anxiety and Satisfaction Levels: An Open-label Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare if playing music can make a difference for women who are going through a fresh or frozen embryo transfer as part of a medical procedure called assisted reproduction technology (ART). The main questions it aims to answer are: Does listening to music while having the embryo transfer make patients feel more satisfied and less anxious? Does listening to music during the embryo transfer affect how likely it is for the woman to get pregnant? During the embryo transfer, the participants will listen to music through speakers. During the embryo transfer, the comparison group will not listen to music and will receive the usual care. The aim is to see if listening to music can help make the procedure better for women.

The process of randomization and allocation concealment will be implemented through a block random computer-generated list.

Sealed opaque envelopes will be employed within the 7 days preceding the embryo transfer (for fresh transfers, it will be done on the day of fertilization, and, for frozen transfers, it will be done once the endometrium is prepared and it is ready to start the progesterone supplementation). Both the participants and the attending physician will be aware of the assigned allocation group. The researcher responsible for outcome assessment will remain blinded to the allocation.

All participants will listen to music throughout their time in the designated embryo transfer room. The music will begin playing as soon as participants enter the room and will continue until their departure. Participants will be given the opportunity to curate a personalized playlist.

The personalized playlist will be played through speakers at a volume that is loud enough for the participant to hear but soft enough to ensure clear communication between the patient and doctor, without causing any disturbance to the doctor.

It will be assessed with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S), a validated tool. It will be evaluated before and after the embryo transfer (we will compare the absolute difference in the evaluation post-transfer, and also the difference between the pre and post-embryo transfer.

Inclusion Criteria: women undergoing a fresh or frozen embryo transfer as a consequence of an ART technique Exclusion Criteria: gestational carriers deaf persons

Individual participant data that underlie the results reported in the article, after deidentification (text, tables, figures, and appendices).

Investigators whose proposed use of the data has been approved by an independent review committee identified for this purpose.

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