Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Self-efficacy in Women with Gestational Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background and Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common medical condition that causes anxiety and stress in expectant mothers. Improving self-efficacy in order to change lifestyle is of great benefit in management of this condition. This research aimed at studying the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on self-efficacy of women with GDM. A clinical trial was conducted in 60 women with gestational diabetes (control n=30 and intervention n= 30) attending diabetes clinic in Sanandaj, Iran using convenience sampling. Both groups received routine care but the intervention group were divided into three subgroups (n=10 per group) and also received CBT in seven sessions (1.5-hour per session). Diabetic Self-Efficacy scale questionnaire was administered at three times; before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention. Data analysis was done in SPSS V19. The mean age of participants was 30.25 ± 5.0 years and the mean gestational age was 26.8 ± 3.0 weeks. Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the scores for self-efficacy (P=0.50), but CBT was found to improve self-efficacy (P<0.001). CBT in pregnant women with GDM improved self-efficacy. ‎These women are needed to change their lifestyle, therefore, CBT should be offered in health centers and diabetes clinics to prevent diabetes type II in women with GDM.

(Clinical Trials Registry Number: IRCT2017011631977N1