CyberchondriaNCT07126769
Cyberchondria and Stress in Women Undergoing Infertility Treatment
An observational study of Cyberchondria and Stress, run by Acibadem University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study examines how searching for health information on the internet may affect stress and emotional well-being in women undergoing infertility treatment. Infertility is a common condition that impacts about 48 million couples worldwide and can cause not only physical challenges but also significant emotional… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Cyberchondria, Stress, Infertility
- How many people
- 201 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2025to 30 May 2026
- How long will I take part?
- 1 Day
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Study population: Women aged 18 to 45 undergoing infertility treatment (IUI, IVF, ICSI), who speak Turkish, consent to participate, and have no psychological disorders.
Who may be able to join
- Women undergoing infertility treatment and those who have experienced various treatment methods (IUI, IVF, ICSI).
- Women willing to participate in the study.
- Women who understand and speak Turkish.
Who cannot join
- Women with psychological disorders (e.g., clinical depression, anxiety disorders).
- Women not undergoing infertility treatment.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Acıbadem University
Istanbul, Ataşehir
Güzin Ünlü Suvari, Ph.D. (C), +90 ext. 2165004429, guzinnunlu@gmail.com
Merve Coşkun, Ph.D.
About this study
Official title: Virtual Knowledge, Real Stress: The Role of Cyberchondria Severity in Women Undergoing Infertility Treatment
This study examines how searching for health information on the internet may affect stress and emotional well-being in women undergoing infertility treatment. Infertility is a common condition that impacts about 48 million couples worldwide and can cause not only physical challenges but also significant emotional strain, including anxiety, depression, and stress. Many women turn to the internet to seek answers about their condition and treatment. While online information can be helpful, it is not always accurate or consistent, which can increase worry and confusion. This repeated and sometimes excessive searching for health information, known as "cyberchondria," has been linked in previous research to increased stress and anxiety. This study will assess women's online information-seeking patterns, infertility-related stress, and overall emotional and social well-being, aiming to better understand the role of cyberchondria in the infertility treatment process. The results may help healthcare professionals offer more targeted support and guidance to women facing these challenges.
- Conditions
- Cyberchondria, Stress, Infertility
- Medical subject headings
- Infertility
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Introductory Information Form
This form includes 24 questions divided into four sections covering women's sociodemographic details, health information, digital health search behaviors, and reproductive health.
Measured: At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)
Screening Tool on Distress in Fertility Treatment (SCREEN-IVF)
A 28-item scale assessing psychosocial risk factors in individuals undergoing infertility treatment. It includes subscales for anxiety, social support, helplessness, acceptance, and depression. Scores above specific cutoff points indicate elevated risk levels in these areas.
Measured: At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)
Infertility Stress Scale
Consists of 14 items across three subscales: Personal Stress (6 items), Marital Stress (4 items), and Social Stress (4 items). Higher scores reflect increased stress levels. Items are rated on Likert scales, with score ranges for each subscale indicating the severity of stress.
Measured: At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)
Short Form of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale
A 12-item scale measuring severity of excessive online health searches, covering Excessiveness, Distress, Reassurance, and Compulsion subscales. Items scored on a 5-point Likert scale. Higher total scores indicate greater cyberchondria severity
Measured: At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Aug 2025
- Study start1 Sep 2025
- Primary completion30 May 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 May 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (9)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for CyberchondriaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Acibadem UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 201 participants (estimated)
- Target duration
- 1 Day
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Acibadem University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Güzin Ünlü Suvari, Acibadem University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07126769
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025-07/272
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 11 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 30 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be publicly shared due to privacy concerns and the sensitive nature of maternal and infant health information. However, anonymized data may be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author after publication of the study results.
Publications
Boivin J, Takefman J, Braverman A. The fertility quality of life (FertiQoL) tool: development and general psychometric properties. Hum Reprod. 2011 Aug;26(8):2084-91. doi: 10.1093/humrep/der171. Epub 2011 Jun 10.
PubMed 21665875Brochu F, Robins S, Miner SA, Grunberg PH, Chan P, Lo K, Holzer HEG, Mahutte N, Ouhilal S, Tulandi T, Zelkowitz P. Searching the Internet for Infertility Information: A Survey of Patient Needs and Preferences. J Med Internet Res. 2019 Dec 12;21(12):e15132. doi: 10.2196/15132.
PubMed 31829963Buran, G., Toptaş Acar, B. The effect of social and emotional capacities on coping strategies and stress in infertile individuals. Curr Psychol 43, 29984-29994 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-06504-5
Çakı, B., & Sohbet, R. (2021). The examination of reproductive information and stress levels of fertilite and infertile women. Adıyaman Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 7(1), 103-112.
European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). (2021, August). Factsheet on infertility - prevalence, treatment and fertility decline in Europe.
Irmak Vural P, Korpe G, Aslan E. Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of Screening Tool on Distress in Fertility Treatment (SCREENIVF). Psychiatr Danub. 2021 Dec;33(Suppl 13):278-287.
PubMed 35150496Mayette E, Scalise A, Li A, McGeorge N, James K, Mahalingaiah S. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) patient information-seeking behavior: a qualitative study. BMC Womens Health. 2024 Jun 15;24(1):346. doi: 10.1186/s12905-024-03183-z.
PubMed 38877503Verhaak CM, Lintsen AM, Evers AW, Braat DD. Who is at risk of emotional problems and how do you know? Screening of women going for IVF treatment. Hum Reprod. 2010 May;25(5):1234-40. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deq054. Epub 2010 Mar 13.
PubMed 20228392Starcevic V, Schimmenti A, Billieux J, Berle D. Cyberchondria in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hum Behav Emerg Technol. 2021 Jan;3(1):53-62. doi: 10.1002/hbe2.233. Epub 2020 Nov 23.
PubMed 33363277
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Virtual Knowledge, Real Stress: The Role of Cyberchondria Severity in Women Undergoing Infertility Treatment
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07126769
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2025-07/272
- Conditions
- Cyberchondria, Stress, Infertility
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 201 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Acibadem UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 May 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 May 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 17 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study examines how searching for health information on the internet may affect stress and emotional well-being in women undergoing infertility treatment. Infertility is a common condition that impacts about 48 million couples worldwide and can cause not only physical challenges but also significant emotional strain, including anxiety, depression, and stress. Many women turn to the internet to seek answers about their condition and treatment. While online information can be helpful, it is not always accurate or consistent, which can increase worry and confusion. This repeated and sometimes excessive searching for health information, known as "cyberchondria," has been linked in previous research to increased stress and anxiety. This study will assess women's online information-seeking patterns, infertility-related stress, and overall emotional and social well-being, aiming to better understand the role of cyberchondria in the infertility treatment process. The results may help healthcare professionals offer more targeted support and guidance to women facing these challenges.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Target follow-up
- 1 Day
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- Women aged 18 to 45 undergoing infertility treatment (IUI, IVF, ICSI), who speak Turkish, consent to participate, and have no psychological disorders.
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Women undergoing infertility treatment and those who have experienced various treatment methods (IUI, IVF, ICSI).
- Women willing to participate in the study.
- Women who understand and speak Turkish.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Women with psychological disorders (e.g., clinical depression, anxiety disorders).
- Women not undergoing infertility treatment.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Introductory Information Form
Time frame: At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)
This form includes 24 questions divided into four sections covering women's sociodemographic details, health information, digital health search behaviors, and reproductive health.
Screening Tool on Distress in Fertility Treatment (SCREEN-IVF)
Time frame: At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)
A 28-item scale assessing psychosocial risk factors in individuals undergoing infertility treatment. It includes subscales for anxiety, social support, helplessness, acceptance, and depression. Scores above specific cutoff points indicate elevated risk levels in these areas.
Infertility Stress Scale
Time frame: At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)
Consists of 14 items across three subscales: Personal Stress (6 items), Marital Stress (4 items), and Social Stress (4 items). Higher scores reflect increased stress levels. Items are rated on Likert scales, with score ranges for each subscale indicating the severity of stress.
Short Form of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale
Time frame: At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)
A 12-item scale measuring severity of excessive online health searches, covering Excessiveness, Distress, Reassurance, and Compulsion subscales. Items scored on a 5-point Likert scale. Higher total scores indicate greater cyberchondria severity
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Sep 2025.
- Background: PubMed 21665875Boivin J, Takefman J, Braverman A. The fertility quality of life (FertiQoL) tool: development and general psychometric properties. Hum Reprod. 2011 Aug;26(8):2084-91. doi: 10.1093/humrep/der171. Epub 2011 Jun 10.
- Background: PubMed 31829963Brochu F, Robins S, Miner SA, Grunberg PH, Chan P, Lo K, Holzer HEG, Mahutte N, Ouhilal S, Tulandi T, Zelkowitz P. Searching the Internet for Infertility Information: A Survey of Patient Needs and Preferences. J Med Internet Res. 2019 Dec 12;21(12):e15132. doi: 10.2196/15132.
- BackgroundBuran, G., Toptaş Acar, B. The effect of social and emotional capacities on coping strategies and stress in infertile individuals. Curr Psychol 43, 29984-29994 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-06504-5
- BackgroundÇakı, B., & Sohbet, R. (2021). The examination of reproductive information and stress levels of fertilite and infertile women. Adıyaman Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 7(1), 103-112.
- BackgroundEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). (2021, August). Factsheet on infertility - prevalence, treatment and fertility decline in Europe.
- Background: PubMed 35150496Irmak Vural P, Korpe G, Aslan E. Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of Screening Tool on Distress in Fertility Treatment (SCREENIVF). Psychiatr Danub. 2021 Dec;33(Suppl 13):278-287.
- Background: PubMed 38877503Mayette E, Scalise A, Li A, McGeorge N, James K, Mahalingaiah S. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) patient information-seeking behavior: a qualitative study. BMC Womens Health. 2024 Jun 15;24(1):346. doi: 10.1186/s12905-024-03183-z.
- Background: PubMed 20228392Verhaak CM, Lintsen AM, Evers AW, Braat DD. Who is at risk of emotional problems and how do you know? Screening of women going for IVF treatment. Hum Reprod. 2010 May;25(5):1234-40. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deq054. Epub 2010 Mar 13.
- Background: PubMed 33363277Starcevic V, Schimmenti A, Billieux J, Berle D. Cyberchondria in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hum Behav Emerg Technol. 2021 Jan;3(1):53-62. doi: 10.1002/hbe2.233. Epub 2020 Nov 23.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be publicly shared due to privacy concerns and the sensitive nature of maternal and infant health information. However, anonymized data may be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author after publication of the study results.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Cyberchondria and Stress, run by Acibadem University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Güzin Ünlü Suvari, Ph.D. (c) (+902165004429, guzinnunlu@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Introductory Information Form (time frame: At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07126769, which also lists 9 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Sep 2025.