The Impact of Web-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Pain Self-Efficacy in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of web-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in enhancing pain self-efficacy among patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic condition characterized by significant pain and functional limitations.Methods and Materials: Employing a quasi-experimental design, the study recruited adult RA patients aged ۳۰-۶۰ years from specialized clinics in Mashhad, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which received web-based CBT sessions focused on managing pain and improving self-efficacy, or the control group, which received no such intervention. The intervention consisted of eight sessions designed to educate patients on pain management, cognitive restructuring, and coping strategies. Data on pain self-efficacy were collected at three points: pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and at a follow-up session using the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ). Data were analyzed with analysis of variance with repeated measurements and post-hoc tests using SPSS-۲۲.Findings: Statistical analysis revealed significant improvements in pain self-efficacy scores in the intervention group compared to the control group at post-test and follow-up stages (p<۰.۰۰۱).Conclusion: Web-based cognitive-behavioral therapy significantly improves pain self-efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, providing a feasible and effective approach to managing chronic pain and enhancing patients' beliefs in their ability to control pain.Objective: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of web-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in enhancing pain self-efficacy among patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic condition characterized by significant pain and functional limitations. Methods and Materials: Employing a quasi-experimental design, the study recruited adult RA patients aged ۳۰-۶۰ years from specialized clinics in Mashhad, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which received web-based CBT sessions focused on managing pain and improving self-efficacy, or the control group, which received no such intervention. The intervention consisted of eight sessions designed to educate patients on pain management, cognitive restructuring, and coping strategies. Data on pain self-efficacy were collected at three points: pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and at a follow-up session using the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ). Data were analyzed with analysis of variance with repeated measurements and post-hoc tests using SPSS-۲۲. Findings: Statistical analysis revealed significant improvements in pain self-efficacy scores in the intervention group compared to the control group at post-test and follow-up stages (p<۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: Web-based cognitive-behavioral therapy significantly improves pain self-efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, providing a feasible and effective approach to managing chronic pain and enhancing patients' beliefs in their ability to control pain.

Keywords:

Web-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy , Pain Self-Efficacy , Rheumatoid Arthritis