The effectiveness of positive mental imagery of recovery and cognitive behavioral therapy based on religious beliefs on anxiety and life quality in women with breast cancer

Abstract

Author(s): Najmeh Hamid

Introduction: Breast cancer is a common condition among women that can cause psychological problems and may negatively affect their life quality in the future. Religious beliefs and attitudes have been associated with improved life quality and reduced anxiety in women. The objective of present study was to examine the effectiveness of positive mental imagery of recovery and cognitive behavioral therapy based on religious beliefs on life quality and anxiety among women suffering from breast cancer. Methods: This study is an experimental research with pre-test, post-test, follow-up, and control group. The present research work was performed on 30 women with breast cancer who were included based on some criteria including age, disease duration, educational status, having a standard deviation above the mean value in anxiety test among others. Afterward, they were classified into the control group (n=15) and the experimental group (n=15) randomly. Patients in the experimental group received 12 sessions (of 45 minutes) of positive mental imagery of recovery and cognitive behavior therapy based on religious beliefs, while the patients in the control group received no intervention. Data analysis was performed using the statistical technique of multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Results: According to the results of the present study, there was a significant difference between the control and experimental groups (p ≤ 0.0001). In the experimental group, anxiety was significantly decreased and life quality was significantly improved compared with the pre-test and control group. These results persisted at the end of the follow-up period. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that positive mental imagery of recovery and cognitive behavior therapy based on religious beliefs are important factors in improving life quality and reducing anxiety in patients suffering from breast cancer.

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