The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral stress management with Positive Imagination of Recovery on quality of life and general health of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral stress management with positive imagination of recovery on quality of life and general health in the patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The research method was experimental with pre test, post test and control group. The method of this research was a quasi experimental design with pre test, post test and control group. The sample consisted of 30 women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who were selected based on clinical interview, diagnosis of internal medicine and gastroenterology and a questionnaire that measures symptoms (IBS). They were randomly assigned to experimental (n=15) and control group (n=15). The experimental group received 10 sessions of cognitive behavioral stress management with positive imagination of recovery in one 90 minute sessions per week. The study data were collected using Goldberg general health questionnaire (GHQ) and quality of life in irritable bowel patients (IBS-QOL) questionnaire in 2 time points; before the intervention and after it. The obtained data were analyzed by analysis of covariance in SPSS V. 22. The results of covariance analysis showed cognitive behavioral stress management with positive imagination of recovery increased general health and quality of life (P < 0.001) in the experimental group compared with the control group at the post test. psychological intervention special cognitive behavioral stress management with positive imagination of recovery can be effective in improving the general health and quality of life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).