Table 2 General characteristics of studies that were performed by MBI (N = 6)

Bai et al., 2019 [40]

Two guided self-administered interventions (mindfulness, gratitude)

BMG (a weekly session

of 1 h for 4 weeks and at least 20 min of daily practice at home), GJG (a weekly session of 1 h for 4 weeks and the three gratitude journals exercise daily at home), CG (routine care)

Depression, anxiety, sleep quality, infertility-related stress, mindfulness and gratitude

Depression mean difference (95% CI) = − 1.69(− 3.01 to − 0.37), d = 0.44

Sleep quality mean difference (95% CI)= -1.24, [− 1.95, − 0.39], d = 0.43

The brief mindfulness intervention was effective in reducing depression and improving sleep quality in BMG (p = < 0.001).

Moderate

Clifton et al., 2020 [16]

Internet-based mind/body intervention

10 sessions of 1 h equivalent to 10 face-to-face sessions

Distress (anxiety and depression)

BDI B, d= -7.98, -0.86, p = 0.01

BAI B, d= -4.86, -0.67, p = 0.00

PSS B, d= -4.15, -0.61, p = 0.08

FPI Total B, d= -6.14, -0.12, p = 0.60

In the intervention group, anxiety (P = 0.003), depression (P = 0.007), perceived stress (P = 0.041), fertility-social (P = 0.018), fertility-sexual (P = 0.006) decreased significantly.

Strong

Galhardo et al., 2013 [41]

Mindfulness-Based Program

10 weekly sessions, group format, 2 h (men attend three

Sessions)

Depression, state anxiety, entrapment, defeat, internal and external shame, experiential avoidance, mindfulness, self-compassion, and infertility self-efficacy

Depressive Pre, post Mean(SD) = 11.02(7.05), 6.18(4.05), t = 5.46, p = 0.001

External shame Pre, post Mean(SD) = 8.73 (8.72), 5.85 (6.60), t = 3.62, p = 0.001

Internal shame Pre, post Mean(SD) = 6.78 (6.35), 4.13 (4.86), t = 3.20, p = 0.002

Entrapment Pre, post Mean(SD) = 55.40 (17.84), 48.33 (14.91), t = 3.95, p < 0.001

Defeat Pre, post Mean(SD) = 19.05 (10.67), 14.49 (8.24), t = 3.37, p = 0.001

Self-efficacy Pre, post Mean(SD) = 81.87 (24.45), 98.87 (19.58), t = 6.00, p < 0.001

MBPI was effective in decrease of depressive symptoms, internal and external shame, entrapment, and defeat and increase in mindfulness skills and self-efficacy to deal with infertility.

Moderate

Chan, C.H et al., 2006 [42]

Eastern Body-Mind-Spirit (EBMS) group intervention

4 Sessions of 3 h, weekly, group counseling

Anxiety

State anxiety score T1, T2, T3 = 47.12, 43.53, 42.69, F _{T1, T2, T3} = 4.663, P < 0.01

In the intervention group, the Eastern body-mind-spirit group intervention was effective in reducing anxiety (P < 0.01).

Moderate

Kalhori et al., 2020 [17]

Mindfulness-Based Group Counseling

Eight 90-minute sessions (two each week)

Depression

Depression pre, post Mean(SD)=

20.77 ( 6.35), 10.82 (7.16), P < 0.001

Mindfulness-based group counseling was effective to reduce depressive symptoms.

Strong

Psaros et al., 2014 [43]

Mind–body group treatment

10-week group program (The groups met once weekly for 2 h with one weekend 4-h sessions)

Psychological variables(Depression, MOS, PSS, LOT-R) salivary cortisol levels

Depression pre, post Mean(SD) = 17.9 (1.2), 10.1 (1.3), t = 4.85, p < 0.001

PSS pre, post Mean(SD) = 8.5(0.4), 6.1 (0.5), t = 4.79, P = 0.001

LOT-R pre, post Mean(SD) = 10.7

(0.9), 9.9 (0.9), P = 0.660

MOS social support pre, post Mean(SD) = 68.9 (2.8), 80.4 (3.0), t = 4.98, p = 0.001

MBI was effect to decrease of depression and perceived stress and increased perceived social support but there were no significant changes in cortisol levels.

Strong