Psychological interventions in health and diseases
Sharareh Ghasemi; khadijeh Arabsheybani; Mojgan AgahHeris; Mahdieh Rahmanian; Sepideh Nazemi
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive therapy, focusing on dietary traps, in reducing weight and BMI, including thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH), weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI), among individuals with obesity and hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland controls the body's ...
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Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive therapy, focusing on dietary traps, in reducing weight and BMI, including thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH), weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI), among individuals with obesity and hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland controls the body's metabolism through hormone production. Thyroid dysfunction can alter the metabolic rate, impacting weight. Research consistently indicates that increased BMI is often associated with higher TSH levels and an increased likelihood of hypothyroidism. However, the overall findings from studies in this area are not yet entirely consistent. Although individuals with obesity due to conditions like hypothyroidism initially find weight loss straightforward, maintaining this reduced weight becomes challenging over time due to psychological traps such as stress, family issues, and social situations. While cognitive therapy primarily focuses on improving an individual's cognitions and thought patterns, it may not directly influence hormonal physiological processes.
Method: This research utilized a quasi-experimental design involving an experimental group and a control group, with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up stages. Participants were selected using convenience sampling and then randomly assigned to groups. The study included 30 women from Tehran diagnosed with hypothyroidism and obesity. These participants were divided into two groups: an experimental group (15 individuals) and a control group (15 individuals). The experimental group received 10 weeks of cognitive therapy sessions, concentrating on dietary traps, while the control group received no intervention. Participants signed the consent form before attending the study. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires, blood tests, and BMI measurements. Statistical analysis involved MANOVA, performed using SPSS 26 software.
Findings: Cognitive therapy with an emphasis on dietary traps significantly reduced weight and BMI (P < 0.001), and significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups at post-test and follow-up stages (P < 0.001). Cognitive therapy focused on dietary traps did not have a significant effect on T3, T4, and TSH hormones. The group × time interaction effect for these variables was not significant (p = 0.358), but the main effect of time was fully confirmed.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that cognitive therapy with an emphasis on dietary traps effectively reduces weight and BMI in individuals with hypothyroidism and obesity. The experimental group showed greater improvements compared to the control group, and these effects remained stable during the follow-up period. However, the therapy did not have a significant effect on improving thyroid hormone levels.
