Comparison of emotion-focused therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder in patients with chronic low back pain
Patients with chronic low back pain
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22122/cdj.v13i1.793Keywords:
Emotion-Focused Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Chronic Back PainAbstract
BACKGROUND: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is prevalent among chronic pain conditions. The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficiency of emotion-focused therapy (EFT) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for managing GAD in individuals dealing with chronic low back pain (CLBP).
METHODS: The study used a semi-experimental approach that included a pre-test, post-test, and control group design. The statistical population included patients suffering from chronic back pain with GAD at Khatam-ol-Anbia Hospital in Tehran City, Iran, from June to August 2022. 45 patients as a sample size were selected through a purposeful sampling method (three groups, 15 for each group). The experimental groups underwent EFT for 12 sessions and ten sessions of CBT, 90 minutes once a week, while the control group received no training. In this research, the Social Anxiety Questionnaire for Adults (SAQ-A30) was implemented. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) method was conducted for data analysis using SPSS software.
RESULTS: Both treatments had a significant effect on the treatment of GAD. Moreover, compared with CBT, EFT had a significant advantage (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: The results suggest that EFT, like the CBT, can benefit patients with GAD by improving their anxiety levels.
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