Comparison of the Effects of Cognitive-behavioral Stress Management, Optimism Training and Medical Therapy on the UC Patients’ Psychological and Somatic Symptoms and Immunological Markers

Authors
M. S. Sajadinjad
SH, Haghjoy Javanmard
H, Molavi
K, Asgari
P, Adibi
Abstract
The aim of this study was the comparison of the effects of cognitive-behavioral stress management, optimism training and medical therapy on the UC patients’ psychological and somatic symptoms, and immunological markers. 30 female patients were selected through the availability sampling method, and were randomly put in the three groups of cognitive-behavioral stress management, optimism training and medical therapy. All patients completed Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Lichtiger Colitis Activity Index in the pretest stage and blood samples were taken from them. Then, the two experimental groups participated in 9 sessions of the group intervention of cognitive-behavioral stress management and optimism training following that the three groups completed the scales again and again blood samples were taken from them and this was repeated in a 6-months follow-up. To analyze the data, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used. The findings of the study indicated that the effects of the two interventions on depression, anxiety, cortisol and TNF&alpha were significant however, these interventions had no significant effects on the somatic symptoms, IL6 and IL4. As a whole, it can be said that the psychological interventions including stress management and optimism training could be effective in improving the psychological symptoms, regulating the immunological performance and curing of UC patients. 
Keywords
Ulcerative Colitis
Cognitive-behavioral Stress Management
Optimism Training
Immune System