The Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Depression and Obesity in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that can cause mental and psychological manifestations such as depression in addition to medical aspects like obesity. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy on body mass index(BMI) and depression in women with PCOS. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 74 women in Saqez-Iran, 2017. Participants were assigned into 2 groups of intervention and control through blocked randomization. The intervention group received cognitive-behavioral therapy in 8 sessions of 45 to 60 minutes. Beck's depression questionnaire was completed and body mass index (BMI) was calculated before and 4 weeks after the end of intervention. ANCOVA test was used to analyze the data. Results: There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of socio-demographic characteristics (P > 0.05). After intervention, the mean (SD) of depression score in the intervention group was 4.5 (3.9) and in the control group 16.5 (8.6). Based on the ANCOVA test and with adjusting the baseline values, the mean depression score of the intervention group significantly was lower than the control group (adjusted mean difference: -13.8; confidence interval 95% = -10.9 to -16.7; P < 0.001). In addition, after intervention, the mean (SD) of BMI in the intervention group was 27.3 (5.4) and in the control group it was 29.4 (5.5). The intervention group was significantly lower than the control group, based on the ANCOVA test with adjusting the baseline values (-0.6; -0.2 to -0.9; P< 0.001). Conclusions: Cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective in improving depression and decreasing BMI in women with PCOS. Therefore, it is recommended to use this therapeutic approach to improve the physical and psychological health of these women.