the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Chronic Pain and Cognitive-Emotional Regulation in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Objective: :Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic and debilitating digestive disorder that is more common in people with psychological disorders than in the general population. This study investigates the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy on chronic pains and cognitive emotion regulation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.Method: The research method is quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest and control group and a six-month follow-up. All patients with irritable bowel syndrome who had presented to the Shariati Hospital of Tehran and Massoud Gastroenterology and Liver Clinic from autumn ۲۰۱۹ to winter ۲۰۲۰ comprised the statistical population. The sample size was ۴۸ people selected by convenience sampling, then divided into an experimental group and a control group using a block randomization procedure (with each group containing ۲۴). Chronic Pain Grade Scale (Von Korff et al. ۱۹۹۲) and Cognitive Emotion Regulation (Garnefski et al. ۲۰۰۱) Questionnaire were the research tools provided to the two groups. The control group, however, remained on the waiting list and did not receive any interventions. The cognitive-behavioral therapy intervention was performed for the experimental group for ۸, ۹۰-minute sessions. Research data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Repeated Measures. Results: Findings indicated that cognitive-behavioral therapy reduced chronic pain and increased cognitive regulation (p>۰.۰۱). This efficacy remained stable until a six-month follow-up (p>۰.۰۵). Conclusion: This finding can also associate with reducing and improving cognitive emotion regulation within psychological interventions planning vision among patients with irritable bowel syndrome, and thus have clinical usages.

Keywords:

irritable bowel syndrome , Cognitive Therapy , Pain , emotion regulation