The effectiveness of cognitive‐behavioural therapy on emotional regulation and quality of life in children with Haemophilia

Abstract

and Background Data: Haemophilia has known as an inherited bleeding disorder accompanied by remarkable pain, emotional distress, and impaired quality of life (QoL) and emotional regulation. Psychological interventions, such as cognitivebehavioural therapy (CBT), have cost-effectiveness to promote emotional well-being, QoL and emotional regulation; however, they have been scarcely used in the treatment of haemophilia. Objectives of the Study: This research aimed at examining the effect of CBT on emotional regulation and QoL in children with haemophilia using quasi-experimental research with pretest and post-test design and a control group. Method: 30 subjects were selected using convenient sampling and divided into two groups (n = 15). Both groups responded to the QoL questionnaire, the Persian version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) developed and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ-k) in the pretest. The experimental group was then subjected to the CBT intervention through 9 sessions. The analysis of covariance was used for data analysis.Results: There was a significant increase in the QoL and emotion regulation in the experimental group than the control group. Conclusion:The CBT training was effective to stop negative thinking and control their anger at school and also to adopt more appropriate strategies to deal efficaciously with concerns in social situations. Awareness about the thoughts, feelings and behaviours and being able to solve problems enables children to have better social relations and friendships with peers and also in other social situations. It also can increase the QoL and emotion regulation.

Psychological complications among patients with congenital bleeding disorders

“…Pain was reported more frequently by participants with significant anxious ( P = 0.004, Φ = 0.288) and depressive ( P = 0.001, Φ = 0.317) symptoms. Studies show that the more anxious hemophilia patients are, the more unpredictable their symptoms ( r = 0.001, P = 0.351) [7]. In another study of 81 participants who reported receiving on-demand coagulation factor therapy, 76 (94%) had at least one anxiety symptom.…”

“…Because high stress can be a factor in internal bleeding in patients with hemorrhagic disorders, this factor can deprive a person of life activities [3,5]. Studies have shown that patients with the highest levels of stress, anxiety, and depression experience pain with the highest intensity and that patients with severe pain have more stress, anxiety, and depression [7]. For this reason, appropriate use of coping strategies can help patients manage the stress associated with the disease [4].…”

“…CBT psychotherapy is effective in improving quality of life. Self-treatment in improving the quality of life of children with hemophilia, it can be pointed out that CBT plays an essential role in changing behavior and thoughts [7]. Another study examined the effectiveness of positive psychotherapy in reducing test anxiety in elementary and middle school students with hemophilia.…”

“…[4]. If hemophiliac children receive psycho - education concerning their illness and its long-term effects, it can be useful in alleviating anxiety symptoms [7].…”

“…Hemophilia in children affects both physical and mental health and has an impact on cognitive emotions such as incompatible and dysfunctional thoughts. Successful regulation of academic performance, good health, emotional, and social outcomes at school or with friends, and conversely, failure in cognitive-emotional adjustment are also related to psychopathology and behavioral strategies [7]. Psychological interventions are effective in strengthening adaptive pain management strategies through specific cognitive techniques such as cognitive restructuring, with the goal of understanding disorders and reducing pain intensity.…”