Effect of Group Counseling based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on Constipation induced by Anxiety in pregnancy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Pregnancy-specific anxiety is along with an increased risk of adverse maternal and child outcomes. In pregnant women, psychological distress such as anxiety is associated with the onset and exacerbation of constipation symptoms.Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on constipation induced by anxiety in pregnancy.Methods: The present clinical trial was conducted on ۶۲ pregnant women with gestational age of ۱۰ to ۲۰ weeks who visited two comprehensive health service centers in Takestan City (۲۰۱۹). The participants were randomly divided into intervention (n= ۳۲) and control (n= ۳۰) groups. The research tools were a Pregnancy Related Anxiety Questionnaire-short form (PRAQ-۱۷) and a constipation assessment Scale (CAS) form in pregnancy. Intervention includes ۶-week ۹۰-minute consultation sessions (one session each week) for five groups of ۶ persons. Follow-up was performed immediately, one month and two months after the last consultation session. Data analysis was performed with repeated measures and chi-square test.Results: The mean scores of pregnancy anxiety were significantly different at different times (P-value<۰.۰۰۱). The impact was significant in terms of interaction between time and group (P<۰.۰۰۱, F=۲۹.۷۷۶). There was also significant difference between different times in terms of mean scores of pregnancy constipation (P-value<۰.۰۰۱). The interaction between time and group was also significant (P<۰.۰۰۱, F=۲۷.۳۶۳).Conclusions: The cognitive behavioral therapy was effective in decreasing the anxiety and constipation in pregnant women, and thus it is suggested as a non-drug therapeutic approach in reducing the anxiety and constipation in pregnant women.

کلیدواژه ها:

Counseling ، Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) ، Anxiety ، Constipation ، Pregnant Women