Efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy after the surgical treatment of women with endometriosis: A preliminary case-control study.

Background: Regardless of unique status or symptoms, any woman with endometriosis is at risk of developing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective psychological treatment for depression, anxiety, and stress. The objectives of the study were to see whether usual care combined with CBT improves depression, anxiety, and stress in patients after surgery for endometriosis as compared to usual care alone.

Methods: Patients aged 18 to 50 years old with endometriosis who were scheduled for surgery were received usual care (Chinese martial arts) with CBT (1 pre-surgery and 6 post-surgery CBT sessions; Case or Intervention group, n = 48) or usual care only (Control group, n = 48). The demographic characteristics questionnaire was given to all individuals. Depression, anxiety, and stress were evaluated at baseline (within 24 hours after admission to the hospital) and postintervention (immediately before discharged) in both groups using the Chinese short version of Depression Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS-21).

Results: At postintervention DASS-21 scores for depression, anxiety, and stress of the case group and the control group were decreased as compared to baseline (P < .0001 for all). At postintervention DASS-21 score for anxiety of the case group was decreased compared to the control group (P = .0091). Usual care plus CBT significantly increased the number of females with no symptoms of depression as compared to baseline at postintervention(s) (P = .0356). At postintervention(s), there was no female with extremely severe depression in both groups. Usual care plus CBT significantly decreased the number of females with symptoms of extremely severe anxiety as compared to baseline at postintervention(s) (P = .035). Unlike the control group, in the case group, there were no females with extremely severe stress at postintervention.

Conclusions: females with endometriosis who had surgery reported high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress at the time of hospital admission. Patients with endometriosis can benefit from CBT.