Deep Reading as a Contemplative Practice for Women With Primary Ovarian Insufficiency

It is well documented in the literature that women with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency find spirituality a valuable resource for coping with the existential dimension of the diagnosis. This is an exploratory pilot study which examines reading as a contemplative practice to assist these women as they attempt to come to terms with the life altering aspects of living with the diagnosis. In this intervention, that we call Deep Reading, up to 15 participants will engage in six weekly sessions approximately sixty to ninety minutes in length in which they will receive instruction on aspects of Deep Reading, practice Deep Reading and process the experience. Between group sessions participants will be asked to practice Deep Reading on their own and be paired for mutual support and encouragement. For convenience participants will be recruited from among those already enrolled in NICHD Protocol, Ovarian Follicle Function in Patients with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (91-CH-0127). We will use the FACIT-Sp and satisfaction questionnaires to measure participant response and feasibility for future study.