Psychological interventions in health and diseases
Arash Nejatian; Mahnaz Aliakbari Dehkordi; Amin Rafiepour; Ziba Barghi Irani
Abstract
AbstractObjectives: This study aimed to develop and evaluate a cognitive-behavioral-emotional and social intervention tailored for hypertensive cardiovascular patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). The intervention focused on improving erectile function, sexual satisfaction, interpersonal communication, ...
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AbstractObjectives: This study aimed to develop and evaluate a cognitive-behavioral-emotional and social intervention tailored for hypertensive cardiovascular patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). The intervention focused on improving erectile function, sexual satisfaction, interpersonal communication, and psychological well-being through integrated psychological support, social connection strategies, lifestyle modifications, and sexual education.Methods: Thirty male patients aged 45 to 60, diagnosed with hypertension and ED, were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving the intervention or a control group receiving routine care. The 12-session intervention included relaxation techniques, motivational interviewing, cognitive restructuring (based on the Metz et al. model), psychosexual education, and communication and intimacy training. Lifestyle changes emphasized weight reduction and heart-healthy behaviors to reduce body mass index (BMI). Outcomes were assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the Sexual Communication Scale (SCS).Results: The experimental group showed significant, sustained improvements. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a strong time × group effect for erectile function and sexual communication anxiety (p < 0.001). BMI dropped significantly (χ² = 22.842, p = 0.000), with a notable between-group difference at follow-up (U = 52.000, p = 0.012). At follow-up, the experimental group reported higher erectile (24.8 vs. 17.2), orgasmic (8.9 vs. 6.7), sexual desire (9.4 vs. 6.8), and intercourse satisfaction (11.7 vs. 7.9); greater relationship satisfaction (21.3 vs. 16.4); and lower sexual communication anxiety (12.6 vs. 21.9).Conclusions: A cognitive-behavioral-emotional-social intervention combined with lifestyle changes improved sexual function and relationship quality in hypertensive patients with ED.
Minoo Khalaj Asadi; Ziba Barghi Irani; Mahnaz Aliakbari
Abstract
Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive nervous system disease. The present study aimed tocompare the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) onthe psychosocial adjustment to illness and expanded disability of multiple sclerosis ...
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Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive nervous system disease. The present study aimed tocompare the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) onthe psychosocial adjustment to illness and expanded disability of multiple sclerosis patients.
Method: This research was a pretest-posttest controlled quasi-experimental study with a three-month and six-monthfollow-up. The research population was comprised of all MS patients in Tehran in 2021. Using the purposeful samplingmethod, 60 people were selected and randomly assigned to ACT and CBT experimental groups and the control group.Drogits’ (1986) Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS) and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) wereused to collect data. The ACT group received eight 120-minute sessions, the CBT group received eight one-hoursessions, and no intervention was provided for the control group. Covariance analysis and post hoc tests were used toanalyze the data.
Results: The results demonstrated that ACT had a higher effect than CBT in enhancing psychosocial adjustment toillness (P=0.024) and reducing expanded disability (P=0.024), which has been constant in the follow-up stages.
Conclusion: In general, both ACT and CBT interventions significantly improved the psychosocial adjustment to illnessand reduced the expanded disability of MS patients. However, it is suggested that professionals use ACT intervention formore effectiveness.
