The Effect of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Acromegalics After a 9-Month Follow-Up

Abstract

Introduction: The quality of life of acromegalics is compromised. Treatment with the “Think healthy and feel the difference” technique has been described as effective in the improvement of the quality of life of these patients in the short term. However, its effectiveness in the long term needs to be evaluated. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the good results obtained from the “Think healthy and feel the difference” technique in the short term persists in the long term, after the end of the treatment. Method: This is a non-randomized longitudinal study with 23 acromegalic divided into two groups: an intervention group with 10 patients and a control group with 13 patients. The intervention itself covered nine group sessions, organized weekly, using a technique called “Think healthy and feel the difference.” The control group did not receive the aforementioned treatment. The Short Form 36 Question Health Survey (SF-36) and the Beck Depression Inventory were administered before the sessions began, at the end of the nine therapy sessions and at the 9-month follow-up. Results: At the end of the treatment, the results of the SF-36 showed improvement in the mental health of the intervention group compared to the control group. The effects of therapy were maintained at the 9 month follow-up. Conclusion: Cognitive-behavioral therapy, applied in a group format, can improve the quality of life of acromegalic patients in the short- and long-term.

Cognitive behavioral therapy adapted for patients with acromegaly

“…In a recent publication, we showed that CBT with the Think Healthy technique improved the quality of life of patients with acromegaly in two domains of the SF-36: general health and mental health (Kunzler et al, 2018). Improvement in the mental health dimension, comparing the intervention group to the control group, was maintained at the 9-month followup (Kunzler et al, 2019).…”

“…Based on the principles of CBT, research has been conducted and the positive effect on patients' well-being has been demonstrated (Díaz & Murguia, 2015). The effects of the treatment on patients' quality of life and on the indications of depression in patients with acromegaly are presented in Kunzler et al, 2018, and maintenance of effects at 9 months of follow-up is described in Kunzler et al, 2019. Two self-report evaluation instruments were used: Quality of Life Questionnaire (SF-36), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).…”

The Effects of Psychological Focus Group Therapy on the Quality of Life of Female Patients with Acromegaly

“…The same authors also re-evaluated the patients who had attended the 9-week group therapy after nine months to determine the long-term effects of the 9-week-long therapy sessions. They showed an improvement in QoL with short-term therapy and that this positive effect was also maintained after nine months (10).…”

“…Beck Depresyon Envanteri (BDE) ve Akromegali Hayat Kalitesi Ölçeği (Acro-QoL) terapinin başlangıcında, 3. ve 6. aylarda ve 1. yılda değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Hastaların ortalama yaşı 43,7±6,2 yıl, ve ortanca hastalık süresi 8 [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] yıldı. Altı hasta remisyondaydı.…”

Updates in rare and not-so-rare complications of acromegaly: focus on respiratory function and quality of life in acromegaly

“…Other interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy with a technique called “Think healthy and feel the difference” have proven sustained improvement over 9 months. 139 Moreover, physical activity programs 140 , and increased knowledge about the disease from physician-guided discussion groups or patient associations may also help to improve patient’s QoL 141 .…”