The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management and Grammatical Mental Imagery with Cognitive Processing on Negative Mood, Cognitive Regulation of Emotion and Quality of Life in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal dysfunction with some psychological disorders. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) and grammatical mental imagery with cognitive processing on reducing negative mood (depression and anxiety), cognitive regulation of emotion, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with IBS. Methods: The study was a quasi-experimental one with pre-test and post-test and a control group. The statistical population included all male and female patients with IBS referred to Besat Gastroenterology Clinic in Tehran. The sample size of the present study was estimated to be 75 people who were randomly assigned to the CBSM group (n=25), the grammatical imaging experiment with cognitive processing (n=25), and the control group (n=25) by lottery method without replacement. The Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), Life Quality Questionnaire (SF-36), Beck's Depression Inventory, and The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to collect data. Results: The results of covariance analysis showed that CBSM therapy and grammatical mental imagery with cognitive processing were effective in reducing negative mood (depression and anxiety), cognitive regulation of emotion, and QoL (Pvalue=0.001). The results of covariance analysis also showed a significant difference between CBSM and grammatical mental imagery with cognitive processing only in terms of QoL. There was no significant difference between CBSM and grammatical mental imagery with cognitive processing in reducing negative mood (depression and anxiety), and cognitive emotion regulation. Conclusions: According to the results, CBSM therapy and grammatical mental imagery with cognitive processing increase the QoL and reduce negative emotions in patients with IBS. Keywords: Grammatical mental imagery, Cognitive-behavioral, Stress management, Quality of life, Irritable bowel syndrome