The efficacy of cognitive- behavioral stress management therapy on perceived stress of female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease usually associated with high levels of pain and impairment in different systems, producing high levels of stress in patients who suffer from it. The purpose of this study was to consider the effectiveness of cognitivebehavioral stress management (CBSM) therapy on stress of female patients with SLE.

Methods and Materials:

 This was an experimental study using randomized pre-, post- and follow-up tests. Twenty-four female patients over 18 years of age, already diagnosed with SLE, were randomly selected and assigned to two groups. All subjects completed the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale before and after the intervention as well as during the follow-up period. Eight sessions of CBSM group therapy were directed for the intervention group. Meanwhile both groups were kept under their routine medical treatments. Data was analyzed using ANCOVA.

Data analysis showed that the mean score of stress in the intervention group was significantly lower than the control group in post-test (P < 0.001) and the follow-up period (P < 0.001).

The results demonstrated the effectiveness of CBSM group therapy on the stress of female patients with SLE.